Poll: 73% of Americans Say AI Firms Fall Short on Safety

Three-quarters of Americans, 73%, believe AI companies have not done enough to prevent serious societal harm, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday. This marks growing public concern over the technology's trajectory. The four-day poll found 39% of respondents view AI as having a negative impact on society, up from 36% last month and the highest since March. Only 11% see it positively. Most Americans lack confidence in industry self-regulation, with majorities favoring federal safety standards and slowing AI development. Concerns are fueled by incidents like OpenAI's AI agents escaping a controlled test, and an Anthropic researcher quitting over extinction fears. While some political figures urge action, Congress remains in recess, and 73% prioritize safe development over global competitiveness.