Survey shows 58% of Americans still support AI, enthusiasm declines again

Americans remain cautiously supportive of artificial‑intelligence development, according to a daily “AI vibe check” released Tuesday by the nonprofit research firm DataForProgress, which tracks public sentiment through surveys and social‑media analysis. The tracker shows that 58 % of respondents still back continued AI research and deployment, while only 22 % say they are “very excited” about the technology. The rest express unease or indifference, and the overall enthusiasm score has slipped for the third straight month.

The shift comes after a wave of high‑profile incidents that have put AI in the spotlight. In March, a major social‑media platform rolled back a generative‑image feature after users reported deep‑fakes that spread misinformation. A week later, a leading AI lab announced a pause on its most advanced language model following concerns about bias and misinformation. Lawmakers in both the United States and Europe have introduced bills to regulate AI training data and require transparency about algorithmic decisions. These events have heightened public scrutiny and prompted many to question whether the promised benefits outweigh the risks.

Industry leaders acknowledge the mixed mood. OpenAI’s chief executive said the company is “listening closely to public concerns” while continuing to improve safety mechanisms. Microsoft, a major investor, pledged an additional $1 billion for AI safety research in its quarterly earnings call. Consumer groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have urged regulators to act quickly, warning that delayed oversight could erode trust. Meanwhile, a Pew Research Center poll released last week found that 45 % of Americans fear AI could lead to job losses, a figure that has risen from 32 % a year ago.

Analysts say the next few months will be critical for shaping the trajectory of AI policy and market adoption. Lawmakers are set to vote on the bipartisan “AI Accountability Act” in the Senate later this year, which would require companies to disclose training data sources and conduct impact assessments. Tech firms are expected to roll out more robust content‑filtering tools and expand transparency reports. If public confidence does not improve, companies may face slower adoption rates and tighter regulation, potentially reshaping the AI landscape for years to come.