How Voters View AI Safety and Innovation

How should governments respond to the rapid development of a new generation of Artificial Intelligence? Should regulations be put in place to limit risks? Should the government take a hands-off approach? Should it do more to limit China’s ability to develop cutting-edge AI? 

We found that a majority of Americans favor government intervention to ensure AI safety, even if it comes at the cost of innovation. Our March 2025 Compass survey found that 62% of U.S. voters believe “the government should have strict rules to make AI safe and fair, even if it slows innovation,” compared to just 20% who prefer fewer rules to promote innovation and competitiveness, even if it increases AI risk. While Democrats are most likely to support strict regulation, a majority of Independents and Republicans also favor regulation for AI.

When it comes to geopolitics, 65% of voters think that attempting to preserve the United States’s lead in AI over China is a worthwhile goal. Again, there is general support across parties, but the intensity of support varies by party, with 53% of Democrats, 61% of Independents, and 80% of Republicans indicating that protecting the U.S.’s lead in AI is a laudable goal.