US Voters Demand Stronger AI Regulation as Concerns Rise

A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds most US voters want stronger AI regulation and believe Washington is not taking AI risks seriously enough.

Most US Voters Say Government Is Not Taking AI Risks Seriously, Poll Finds

By News National Editorial Team

A majority of U.S. voters believe the federal government is not doing enough to address the risks associated with artificial intelligence, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, highlighting growing public pressure for stronger AI regulation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The survey found that 57% of voters believe President Donald Trump's administration is not taking AI risks seriously enough, while 54% said the same about Congress. The poll also found strong support for government regulation of artificial intelligence.

AI concerns extend beyond jobs

Artificial intelligence has rapidly moved from being primarily a technology and business issue to a broader political and public-policy question in the United States.

Job losses remain one of the major concerns. However, respondents are also worried about AI systems becoming difficult to control, potential misuse of the technology and the impact of expanding data-centre infrastructure.

According to the poll, 62% of voters said they were concerned that AI could get out of control and threaten humanity's future. The findings indicate that public anxiety extends beyond the immediate effects of automation.

At the same time, AI companies and technology investors continue to promote rapid development, creating a policy debate over whether regulation should slow innovation or establish safeguards while allowing the industry to expand.

Strong support for regulation

The survey found 84% support for stricter government regulation of AI, showing that concern about the technology is not confined to one political group.

The debate has become particularly important as Washington considers how to manage AI safety, employment effects, data-centre expansion and potential national-security applications.

The Trump administration has previously emphasized voluntary safeguards rather than broad regulatory restrictions. Earlier this month, Trump announced a voluntary agreement involving major technology companies intended to address AI safety concerns, but critics have questioned whether voluntary commitments provide sufficient enforcement.

A growing election issue

The timing of the poll is significant because Americans are approaching the November 3, 2026 midterm elections.

AI is competing with more traditional voter concerns such as the economy, immigration, international conflicts and household costs. Nevertheless, the latest findings suggest that AI policy is becoming increasingly difficult for candidates to ignore.

The issue could also become more complicated as AI affects employment, electricity consumption and investment decisions.

Large data centres require substantial amounts of electricity, while companies are spending heavily to build computing capacity for increasingly sophisticated AI models. This has created local debates about power demand, infrastructure and environmental effects.

Poll methodology

The Reuters/Ipsos October survey was conducted from September 30 through October 5, 2026 using Ipsos' probability-based KnowledgePanel. The nationally representative survey included 4,506 U.S. adults aged 18 and older and has a reported margin of sampling error of approximately ±1.5 percentage points for the full sample.

The results therefore provide a snapshot of public opinion rather than a prediction of how voters will behave in the election.

Why it matters

The findings point to a growing gap between the rapid development of AI and public expectations for government oversight.

For policymakers, the challenge will be balancing innovation and international competitiveness with concerns about employment, safety, security and accountability.

For voters, AI is increasingly becoming an issue that goes beyond technology companies. Its effects are likely to influence workplaces, education, energy systems, cybersecurity and government policy for years to come.

Verification

News National checked the latest Reuters report against the official Ipsos methodology for the October Reuters/Ipsos survey. The polling dates, sample size and methodology are consistent with Ipsos' published information.

Sources: Reuters; Ipsos; Reuters/Ipsos October 2026 survey.

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