A fresh survey from the Artificial Intelligence Policy Institute (AIPI) reveals that a solid majority of American voters—68 percent—want the federal government to establish a formal review process for cutting-edge AI models before they hit the market. The finding underscores a rare patch of common ground in a deeply polarized political landscape.
Broken down by party, 64 percent of Republicans, 76 percent of Democrats, and 63 percent of independents all voiced support for a pre-release government check on the most powerful artificial intelligence systems. Only 20 percent of respondents preferred to rely on companies to self-regulate, with the government stepping in only after problems emerge. Another 12 percent were unsure.
The polling comes amid growing unease over the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure—particularly data centers—across the country. Concerns about energy consumption, rising electricity costs, and environmental impact have fueled a backlash at both the state and local levels. In Maine, lawmakers passed the nation's first bill to halt construction of large-scale data centers just two months ago.
On Capitol Hill, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act in March. That legislation would pause new AI infrastructure until Congress enacts measures requiring government reviews of AI products, preventing mass job displacement, and capping increases in consumer electricity rates.
The AIPI poll, conducted June 10–11 among 1,007 likely voters (margin of error ±4.2 percentage points), highlights a political opening for regulatory action. While the tech industry has often argued for a light-touch approach, the survey suggests voters are skeptical of relying on corporate self-policing.
The push for tighter oversight aligns with broader bipartisan efforts on other fronts—such as the push for transparency around unexplained aerial phenomena and the delicate dance over housing legislation—but AI regulation appears to enjoy unusually wide support. Even as debates over online sports betting and other tech-related issues remain polarized, AI safety may be one area where lawmakers from both parties can find common cause.
With the AI race accelerating and global leaders themselves calling for a pause on superintelligent systems, the poll signals that the American public expects Washington to act—and soon.
