Poll Finds Republicans Want Trump to Negotiate with China on AI
A new national poll released today by Americans for Responsible Innovation finds strong support among Republican voters for safeguards on advanced artificial intelligence systems, including national security testing of advanced AI systems, independent third-party audits, and greater oversight of Big Tech companies. As the White House considers an executive order creating stronger oversight of AI models, the new GOP voter survey highlights strong voter alignment with President Trump’s statements on the need for AI safeguards, and voter skepticism over the “let them cook” approach to AI policy promoted by former AI Czar David Sacks.
“Voters want an approach to AI policy that recognizes its potential but takes its risks seriously,” said ARI Executive Director Eric Gastfriend. “As the Administration debates its path forward on AI policy, the new safety-forward messaging that voters are hearing from some Administration officials is resonating. The polling finds that voters are looking for a more safety-focused approach to AI, versus one that allows the industry free rein.”
The survey finds that concerns about AI risks are widespread among Republican voters. Eighty-three percent of respondents said they are concerned that advanced AI systems could be exploited by foreign adversaries, terrorists, criminals, or hostile governments to cause serious harm to Americans. Eighty-nine percent of respondents agreed with recent statements from President Trump on Fox News that there should be some safeguards on advanced AI systems to prevent uncontrolled AI agents from undermining the financial system or the economy. Interestingly, 77% of respondents supported the concept of President Trump directly negotiating a set of rules on AI with China.
Earlier this week, ARI sent a letter to the White House providing guidance to the Administration on the oversight of AI models. The letter recommends mandatory testing of frontier AI models for cyberattack and weapons-development risks, conditioning federal contracts on passing security reviews, and creating a permanent enforcement structure within the Department of Commerce to oversee compliance.
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Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to policy advocacy in the public interest, focused on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Learn more at ARI.us.