New polling finds 73% of Americans are concerned AI companies are not doing enough to prevent potentially serious harm.
Americans Express Concern Over AI Risks
A new Reuters/Ipsos survey shows that a substantial majority of Americans are concerned about the safety of artificial intelligence, with 73% saying AI companies have not done enough to prevent potentially serious consequences.
The findings come as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into work, entertainment, education, research and consumer technology.
The survey also found that 39% of respondents believed AI was having a negative impact on society, the highest percentage recorded since Reuters/Ipsos began asking the question in March.
Only 11% viewed AI's impact positively, while the remaining respondents were uncertain or did not answer.
Safety Has Become a Mainstream Issue
AI safety is no longer a concern limited to technology specialists.
People encounter AI through search engines, smartphones, social platforms, workplace software and automated services.
As these systems become more capable, questions about privacy, cybersecurity, misinformation and reliability are becoming part of ordinary technology use.
The survey indicates that many Americans are following those discussions.
Sixty-nine percent of respondents said they had followed debates about AI safety, suggesting that concerns about the technology have reached a broad portion of the population.
Public Confidence in Self-Regulation Is Limited
The survey found that most respondents wanted federal officials to play a major role in setting AI safety standards.
That finding is significant because technology companies have generally emphasized voluntary safeguards, internal testing and industry-led standards.
The poll indicates that many Americans are not convinced that private companies should be solely responsible for managing AI risks.
The results do not establish which regulatory system would work most effectively.
They instead document public sentiment toward government involvement.
Development Speed Is Also a Concern
The survey found that 55% of respondents supported slowing AI development.
That position reflects concerns that technology may be advancing faster than safety systems can adapt.
At the same time, AI remains associated with substantial economic and scientific opportunities.
Companies are investing heavily in AI because of its potential to improve productivity, automate tasks and support research.
The challenge for policymakers and technology companies is balancing those opportunities with concerns about safety.
Different Views on the Severity of AI Risks
AI researchers and technology leaders do not agree on the likelihood or timing of the most severe risks.
Some researchers have warned that highly capable systems could create significant dangers if they are not adequately controlled.
Others emphasize more immediate concerns such as cybersecurity, misinformation and unreliable automated decisions.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll captures public concern without determining which risk assessment is scientifically correct.
That distinction is important because public opinion and technical risk analysis measure different things.
AI Is Becoming Part of Everyday Life
The growing use of AI means that safety questions increasingly affect ordinary users.
People may interact with AI when searching for information, generating documents, communicating with businesses or using digital assistants.
Workers may also use AI systems to complete professional tasks.
As adoption expands, users need to understand that AI-generated information can contain errors and that automated systems operate within technical limitations.
The latest survey suggests that many Americans are already thinking about those issues.
Federal Oversight Remains Under Discussion
The poll comes amid continuing debate over the appropriate role of government in AI development.
Federal officials have discussed safety standards, industry oversight and the potential risks created by advanced systems.
The survey indicates substantial public support for some form of government involvement.
However, the poll does not identify a single policy that respondents prefer.
What the Poll Shows
The Reuters/Ipsos survey included 1,277 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of approximately three percentage points.
The findings provide a snapshot rather than a permanent measure of public attitudes.
Still, the results show a clear pattern: Americans are paying attention to AI safety and many are concerned about whether companies are doing enough to manage potential risks.
For men and women who use AI at work or at home, the issue is increasingly practical rather than theoretical.
AI is becoming part of everyday technology, while questions about its safety, oversight and long-term effects remain unresolved.
The latest polling places those concerns firmly within the national conversation over how artificial intelligence should develop.
Men’s Insider Contributor
Ethan Marsh
Covers health, fitness, and modern lifestyle, with a focus on practical habits and the long game of staying well.
This article features partner, contributor, or branded content from a third party. Members of the Men’s Insider editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content. All views and opinions are those of the contributor alone.
