Most Americans think AI will harm humans, CBS News polling shows

A recent CBS News/YouGov poll reveals that most Americans are concerned about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), with many fearing AI models may act independently to harm people or be used by others to cause harm. However, the majority does not want to halt AI development altogether, as they believe the U.S. must remain competitive and develop AI faster than China.

They also see potential for AI to lead to medical and scientific breakthroughs. As such, the consensus is that AI should be contained and managed, with both companies and the government sharing responsibility. While opinions on the matter are not strongly influenced by age or political partisanship, those who believe AI will replace jobs are more pessimistic about other aspects of AI development.

Despite these concerns, a majority still supports government restrictions on AI rather than promoting its use. The poll also found that many Americans see AI as posing a significant threat to their jobs, a concern echoed in previous surveys. However, some workers believe that AI will make their jobs easier, even if they generally expect fewer job opportunities overall.

Thus, rather than stopping AI development entirely, the majority of Americans call for a slower pace to manage its risks and benefits.