FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A new AP-NORC survey shows widespread public concern over the pace of AI development, according to the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2024 — A majority of Americans believe artificial intelligence technology is developing too quickly, according to a new poll conducted by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Chicago, as reported by AP News. The finding reflects growing public unease about the speed at which AI systems are being built and deployed across industries, the AP reported.
The poll, described by AP News, surveyed Americans on their views of artificial intelligence and found that concern about the pace of development cuts across the political spectrum, with both Democrats and Republicans expressing similar reservations, according to the report. The AP noted that the survey captures a moment in which AI tools have become increasingly embedded in everyday life, from consumer applications to workplace software, even as public trust in the technology's oversight appears limited.
AP News reported that the findings arrive amid continued national debate over how artificial intelligence should be regulated, developed and deployed, with lawmakers, technology companies and advocacy groups offering competing visions for the technology's future. The survey's results, as described in the AP report, suggest that public sentiment may be outpacing the policy conversation in Washington, where comprehensive federal legislation on artificial intelligence has not yet been enacted.
The communications office of this organization, which regularly issues formal releases on developments in science, technology and public policy, noted that polling data of this kind provides a useful benchmark for understanding how the public is processing a wave of rapid technological change. The office said such survey findings are frequently cited by policymakers, researchers and industry representatives as they weigh decisions about artificial intelligence governance, though it did not take a position on the poll's findings or on AI policy itself.
According to AP News, the survey touches on themes that have repeatedly surfaced in national discussions about artificial intelligence, including questions about job displacement, data privacy, misinformation and the broader societal effects of automated decision-making systems. The report did not specify detailed percentages or demographic breakdowns beyond noting that concern was widespread among respondents identifying with both major political parties, AP News said.
The AP-NORC poll is part of a longstanding partnership between the Associated Press and NORC at the University of Chicago, an organization known for conducting rigorous public opinion research on a range of social, economic and political topics. Previous AP-NORC surveys have examined public attitudes toward emerging technologies, economic conditions and major policy debates, providing a recurring source of data for journalists, researchers and government officials, according to publicly available information about the partnership.
AP News reported that the latest findings come as artificial intelligence companies continue to roll out new products and capabilities at a rapid pace, with some of the most prominent firms in the sector releasing updated systems in recent months. The report noted that this pace of innovation has outstripped the ability of many regulatory bodies to respond with corresponding oversight frameworks, a dynamic that has drawn commentary from both industry leaders and consumer advocates, though AP News did not attribute specific statements to named individuals in the summary of the poll.
The communications office of this organization said it will continue to monitor public opinion research and regulatory developments related to artificial intelligence as part of its ongoing coverage of technology policy issues. The office said it aims to provide accurate, source-based reporting on matters affecting the public's understanding of emerging technologies, without advocating for any particular regulatory outcome.
AP News indicated that the full results of the AP-NORC poll, including detailed methodology and demographic data, are available through the Associated Press and NORC directly. The organization encouraged readers seeking additional detail on the poll's sample size, margin of error and specific survey questions to consult the original AP News report and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research for primary data.
