{
  "id": 9247506,
  "title": "AI anxiety is sweeping the globe — and cutting across party lines: poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/ai-anxiety-is-sweeping-the-globe-and-cutting-across-party-lines-poll",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-23T02:01:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-anxiety-sweeping-the-globe-cutting-across-party-lines-poll-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The panic surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded beyond Silicon Valley and crossed political boundaries, according to a recent POLITICO Poll. The survey conducted in the US, Canada, Europe, France, Spain, and Germany revealed that the majority of adults in these countries want to halt AI development to mitigate potential risks. Over half of the respondents in the UK supported a pause, while 45% in Germany favored it. Meanwhile, only 30% to 40% of adults in each country supported continued development to reap significant benefits.\n\nA majority of the surveyed adults in all six countries believed there was a real risk that AI could destroy humanity. The skepticism around AI could hinder Europe's ability to compete globally, as the EU, which has implemented the world's first AI regulation, has few providers of frontier AI models. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the calls for a pause, inviting AI labs to discuss how the EU could support industry efforts to pace the frontier.\n\nThe recent AI warnings have put European policymakers in a difficult position, as they grapple with the desire to catch up in the AI race while addressing public concerns. Activists demonstrated in front of the European Parliament building in Brussels, urging caution in AI development. Calls for slowing AI development have gone mainstream, as AI leaders such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Elon Musk have raised concerns.\n\nThe results of the poll illustrate the growing magnitude of AI fears, as some industry leaders warn that the technology's advancement could have grave consequences. However, the preference for caution comes with the risk of falling behind others in AI development. For governments, the poll offers a warning of the political backlash they may face if they fail to address AI concerns.",
  "summary": "Majorities in six countries said there was at least a \"moderate\" risk that AI could \"destroy humanity,\" a new POLITICO Poll found.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}