Americans favor slowing AI development but not halting it, poll finds
A new CBS News/YouGov poll finds most Americans want to slow down AI development due to safety concerns, but they do not support stopping it entirely. The survey shows pessimism outweighs optimism, with most respondents worried AI could harm people, either autonomously or through malicious use. However, Americans believe the U.S. needs AI to remain competitive with China and see potential for medical and scientific breakthroughs. Consequently, few advocate for a complete halt, instead favoring government restrictions over industry self-regulation. Concerns about AI eliminating jobs are widespread, though many workers believe it will make their tasks easier. The poll surveyed 2,051 U.S. adults from September 16-18, 2026, with a margin of error of ±2.5 points.