Bipartisan majority of US voters back strict government reviews for advanced AI, poll shows
A new poll shows that a bipartisan majority of US voters support strict government reviews for advanced AI models. This sentiment aligns with growing public opposition to data center construction across the US, driven by concerns over energy consumption and cost of living. Maine has already enacted a bill halting large-scale data center development, and a federal moratorium act on AI infrastructure has been proposed.
A recent public opinion poll, conducted by the Artificial Intelligence Policy Institute (AIPI), indicates that a significant bipartisan majority of US voters support strict government oversight for advanced artificial intelligence models. Sixty-eight percent of respondents favored a formal government review process before AI models are widely released, compared to 20% who preferred industry self-regulation. This support spans across political affiliations, with 76% of Democrats, 64% of Republicans, and 63% of independents backing formal reviews.
This demand for AI regulation is occurring amidst growing public opposition to the construction of massive AI infrastructure, including data centers, throughout the United States. Concerns primarily revolve around the high energy consumption of these facilities and their potential impact on local cost of living and the environment.
Illustrating this trend, the Maine State Legislature recently enacted a bill that halts the development of large-scale data centers, making it the first state to implement such a measure. Furthermore, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders have introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act at the federal level. This proposed legislation aims to pause AI infrastructure construction until lawmakers establish mandates for state-led AI product reviews, address potential mass job losses, and mitigate increases in consumer electricity prices.