Poll: Most Americans Fear AI Could End Humanity

A new Politico poll finds that about two-thirds of Americans believe advanced AI poses at least a moderate risk of destroying humanity, reflecting widespread existential fears across the political spectrum. The September survey of over 2,000 adults showed 70 percent of Kamala Harris voters and 60 percent of Donald Trump voters hold this view, while 17 percent are "almost certain" AI could wipe out humanity. Only 22 percent see very little risk. The poll follows alarming industry warnings, including an Anthropic researcher's resignation and CEO Dario Amodei's call to slow AI development. While 48 percent support pausing development, Americans are split on solutions, with Harris voters favoring pauses more than Trump voters.