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A new survey from the AI Policy Institute (AIPI) says: From a 30,000-foot view majorities support most aspects of policymakers’ AI policy proposals, but differences emerge when you zoom in on political ideology and age.
To explore Americans’ support for different AI policies, AIPI surveyed 1,484 registered voters from June 1-5, 2024. What they found: When presented with a battery of AI policy priorities, a majority of registered voters supported most aspects. More than 50% supported eight of the ten policies regarding mitigating AI risk. The top supported proposals were:
- “Monitoring to prevent dangerous AI from falling into the hands of our adversaries” (75% support)
- “Creating privacy protections when AI is used” (72% support)
- “Requiring safety testing and evaluations of powerful AI systems” (71% support)
- “Preventing AI misinformation” (70% support)
Zooming in on overall support, profiles of those more likely to support the proposals contrasted with those more likely to oppose. When it comes to demographic determinants, political ideology and education play the biggest role: those more likely to support are college-educated Democrats, while those more likely to oppose were Republicans without a college degree.
This ideological split continues when asked about requiring companies developing or using AI to take mandated steps to prevent discrimination and protect consumers. Here, while the overall majority (55%) supported this policy, polarization appeared between Democrats and Republicans, as well as between those 65+ and those ages 18-44. While most Democrats (63%) and Independents (58%) alike were in favor of such a policy, just 42% of Republicans were. And while most of those ages 65 and up supported this policy (63%), less of those ages 18-44 did (49%).
And just like AI protection support, so too is AI disclosure support split on ideology and age. When asked whether the FCC should require broadcasters to disclose use of AI-generated content in political ads on TV and radio, overall support was high, at 64%, and majorities across parties and ages were in favor. However, Republicans and those ages 18-44 were more unsure (30% and 29% unsure, respectively), indicating an opportunity to move them one way or the other.
As politicians prepare their policy positions this election season, these audience nuances will be crucial to consider when they attempt to build consensus — especially for whom they should spend time persuading, and whom is already on their side.
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