Poll: 63% of Americans see AI as a serious threat to humanity

A newly released POLITICO poll shows that a significant share of Americans are voicing concern over the pace of artificial intelligence development and its possible long-term consequences.

The survey results indicate that a plurality of respondents support the idea of pausing work on more advanced AI models. That means that among the range of possible positions — from continuing unrestricted development to slowing it down or halting it entirely — the option of a pause drew the most support.

Even more striking is the level of concern expressed about AI's potential threat to humanity's survival. About 63 percent of those polled said they believe artificial intelligence poses at least a moderate risk of leading to humanity's destruction. This figure suggests that worries about AI's existential risks are no longer confined to narrow circles of technology experts and researchers, but have spread to a broad segment of the American public.

The poll comes at a time when AI technologies are advancing rapidly and being integrated into an increasing number of economic sectors and daily activities, even as broader debates continue over the need for stricter regulation and oversight of the industry. The public sentiment reflected in this survey could potentially influence policymakers' decisions on overseeing AI development and considering future restrictions.

The report does not provide further details on the poll's methodology, sample size, or the specific breakdown of respondents, but the overall findings highlight a notable gap between the technology industry's rapid advancement and a cautious attitude toward its risks held by part of the public.