US AI support cools but stays positive, survey finds

A daily survey tracking American sentiment shows public support for continued AI development remains positive but is gradually declining, reflecting a "lukewarm" mood rather than strong enthusiasm or opposition. The tracker, run by Stony Brook University computational social scientist Jason Jones, has collected over 10,300 responses since February 2024. Monthly averages peaked at 1.57 in April 2025 on a scale from -3 to 3, but 2026 responses so far average just 0.53, still above neutral but notably cooler. Jones says the goal is to identify a critical turning point in US mood, which has not yet occurred. While some polls show majorities see moderate risk of AI destroying humanity, open-ended responses reveal more immediate concerns like jobs, privacy, and environmental costs dominate over existential threats.