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Federal AI oversight

Orange and dark blue squares in a geometric grid on a dark background, illustrating voter support for AI safety rules.

Voters Back Mandatory AI Safety Rules Across Party Lines

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The AI Policy Institute survey found that 78% prefer mandatory safety and security standards to no regulation, with similar support among Democrats and Republicans.

Key Takeaways

  • 78% of likely voters chose mandatory safety and security standards over no regulations at all.
  • Democrats and Republicans were only a few points apart on core AI safety principles, including mandatory standards and human control requirements.
  • 65% prefer required government review of frontier AI models over voluntary review.
  • 86% said the most powerful AI systems should have a guaranteed “kill” switch.
  • Only 16% supported fully blocking states’ ability to regulate AI.

The AI Policy Institute (AIPI) released a national survey showing broad voter support for mandatory safety rules for advanced AI.

The survey asked 1,007 U.S. likely voters to choose among competing approaches to oversight of advanced AI systems. The report shows strong bipartisan support for regulating AI development rather than halting it.

 

Voters want AI regulation

The survey gave voters a choice between two approaches. One would require AI companies to add safeguards to their most advanced models. The other would leave the AI industry largely unregulated and hold users responsible for illegal use.

Voters chose mandatory safety and security standards over no regulation by a margin of 78% to 8%, with 14% unsure.

Further, voters chose required government review of the most capable AI models over voluntary review, 65% to 22%. They also chose government-led safety standards over company-led standards, 62% to 24%.

 

Regulation not cancellation

The report also found that voters favored mandatory standards over an outright ban on more powerful AI systems, 66% to 21%. 

 

Parties agree on AI safety

The survey found broad agreement between Democrats and Republicans on the basic case for AI safety rules.

Both parties backed the same direction: required safeguards, human control, and government oversight.

AI Risk Today ai safety party agreement 2026

Democratic and Republican support for core AI safety principles in the AI Policy Institute survey. (Image credit: AI Risk Today)

Control draws the broadest support

AIPI found that 86% of likely voters agreed that the most powerful AI systems should have a guaranteed way to shut them down; i.e., a “kill” switch. Support was 88% among Democrats, 86% among independents, and 83% among Republicans.

The report also found that 84% said Congress should make sure the most powerful AI models remain under human control. Further, 82% agreed that companies should not build AI to be smarter than humans until they can demonstrate control over such systems.

 

Voters want a regulatory backstop, less concerned if states regulate

Half of voters said states should be allowed to regulate AI until Congress passes federal rules. 20% said states should be allowed to set their own rules indefinitely, and only 16% said states should be barred from regulating AI entirely. 

Silhouetted crowd before a glowing futuristic city with digital data patterns, representing public skepticism and demand for AI regulation.

Americans Sour on AI; 65% Across Party Lines Want More Regulation

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Only 17% expect AI to have a positive impact over the next decade, and even among optimists, 43% say the government has done too little.

Key Takeaways

  • Only 17% of Americans expect AI to have a net positive impact on the U.S. over the next 10 years; 42% expect it to be negative
  • 65% say the government has done too little to regulate AI, including 77% of Democrats, 72% of independents, and 53% of Republicans
  • Even among Americans who expect AI’s impact to be “very positive,” 43% say the government has done too little
  • 41% of employed Americans worry about losing their job or having their hours cut due to AI

The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania released new national survey data this month. The survey asked 1,330 U.S. adults about their views on AI and what they think the government should do about it. The picture that emerges is skepticism, not enthusiasm.

 

Most people expect AI to have a negative impact

Only 17% of respondents expect AI to have a somewhat or very positive impact on the United States over the next 10 years. 42% expect the impact to be negative. About a third say the effects will be roughly balanced.

The pessimism is not coming from people who haven’t engaged with the technology. 78% say they’ve heard at least a moderate amount about AI. 67% report using it at least a few times in the past month.

 

Bipartisan demand for AI regulation

65% of Americans say the government has done too little to regulate AI. The breakdown by party: 77% of Democrats, 72% of independents, and 53% of Republicans. When asked which level of government should lead, 52% chose the federal government.

The demand for legislation intensifies with pessimism, but isn’t confined to it. Among respondents who expect a “very negative” impact from AI, 83% say the government has done too little. Among those who expect a “very positive” impact, the number is still a significant 43%.

 

Workers across party lines are concerned about their jobs

41% of employed respondents say they worry about losing their job or having their hours reduced because of AI. Democrats (50%) express more concern than independents (41%) and Republicans (32%).

The APPC fielded the survey Feb. 17–March 20, 2026. Several states have recently accelerated legislation, including Colorado, which ratified bill SB-189, and Missouri, which introduced an eight-bill legislative package.