At a Glance
- Emerson College poll shows nearly twice as many Americans think AI will harm the economy.
- 46% believe AI will damage the environment versus 21% seeing benefits.
- Politicians are splitting over AI, with Democrats pushing regulation and Republicans courting the tech industry.
- Why it matters: Public sentiment and political pressure could shape AI policy before the midterms.
Americans are growing skeptical of all things AI. A recent Emerson College poll found that nearly twice as many people believe AI will hurt the economy more than help it, and 46% think it will damage the environment versus 21% who see benefits. Morning Consult reports increasing support for bans on data-center construction, prompting politicians to position themselves as the anti-AI party ahead of the midterms.
Public Sentiment and the Rise of Anti-AI Sentiment
The 80% of people polled by Gallup believe the government should regulate AI, even if it means that industry growth will slow. Pew Research found that only 17% of participants believe AI will have a positive impact on the country over the next two decades.
- Emerson College poll: AI seen as more harmful to the economy than beneficial.
- Morning Consult: Rising support for data-center bans.
- Gallup: Majority favor regulation.
- Pew: Low optimism about AI’s long-term benefits.
Political Battle Lines Drawn
The Trump administration has signed an executive order that aims to ban states from passing AI regulations, and Republican lawmakers have tried to sneak favors to the AI industry into bills all year. Democrats, meanwhile, have led the way in creating protections against AI. California and New York, both led by Democratic lawmakers, have passed meaningful regulations meant to rein in AI companies and create restrictions on how AI models can be deployed for things like algorithmic price fixing.
| State | Regulation Focus | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| California | AI model deployment limits | Algorithmic price-fixing restrictions |
| New York | Data-center oversight | State-level AI regulation |
The bipartisan divide is clear: Republicans push for fewer restrictions, while Democrats push for tighter controls.
Senators Turning to AI While Questioning Its Future
News Of Philadelphia recently highlighted how several Senators have begun using AI models, including Elizabeth Warren. Earlier this year, Warren said she “might as well go out on the street and ask a random person a question and see what words they come up with” rather than ask a chatbot, but now she uses ChatGPT for information gathering and claims it can “get an answer that’s better than a straight Google answer.”
Elizabeth Warren stated:
> “I might as well go out on the street and ask a random person a question and see what words they come up with.”
Elizabeth Warren added:
> “I use ChatGPT for information gathering and it can get an answer that’s better than a straight Google answer.”
That’s not to say that she’s abandoned the idea of regulating the technology, but it does put her in the camp of politicians who have seemingly decided to surrender the moment, likely in an effort to appear more pragmatic without realizing that it comes off as nihilistic.
Chris Murphy told News Of Philadelphia:
> “I use it, despite the fact that I think it’s going to destroy us.”
But whether those voices have enough power to win out over the corporatist wing is certainly an open question. The fact that Warren and Murphy are already changing their tune suggests the party might once again find a way to throw away an opportunity to win.
Republican Pushback and the Data-Center Debate
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has positioned himself as the biggest figure to oppose AI on his side of the aisle, proposing several bills to protect Floridians from AI overreach and data-center buildouts. Other figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Steve Bannon have also taken stances against Big Tech’s AI expansion, though their influence in right-wing circles is unclear. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders has pushed a nationwide moratorium on building AI data centers, and Gretchen Whitmer recently called for a ban on data centers in Michigan.
Key Takeaways
- Public polls show a strong preference for AI regulation, with 80% favoring government oversight.
- Democratic lawmakers are leading regulation efforts, while Republicans push for fewer restrictions.
- Senators like Warren and Murphy are shifting from vocal opposition to practical use of AI, raising questions about the party’s stance.
The shifting political landscape and growing public skepticism highlight how AI policy could become a pivotal issue in the upcoming midterms.
