A recent survey indicates that voters in key political battlegrounds largely support the establishment of a new federal agency to oversee artificial intelligence (AI) and the implementation of a government-designed test to ensure AI models are safe. The survey, conducted by the University of Maryland’s Program for Public Consultation, suggests that lawmakers may face increased pressure to create regulatory frameworks for AI technology, despite concerns from some industry representatives about potential hindrances to development and competitiveness with China.
The polling results show that at least two-thirds of both Democrats and Republicans in the surveyed states and congressional districts favor the creation of a federal agency dedicated to AI oversight. Nationally, 85% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans support this initiative. Additionally, 78% of respondents overall agree on requiring new AI programs that make critical decisions to pass a government-designed test to ensure compliance with regulations, data privacy, and the absence of unintended biases.
Steven Kull, Program Director, noted that the survey reflects a broad consensus among Americans across the political spectrum regarding the need for government regulation of AI. The proposed Great American AI Act aims to formalize the Center for AI Standards and Innovation as the regulatory body for AI.
The survey included nearly 20,000 adults across 11 competitive states and 28 congressional districts. It highlights a significant bipartisan agreement on issues such as requiring labels for deepfakes and ensuring the safety of children in relation to AI technologies.
Some lawmakers are also focusing on drafting regulations related to age verification and children's safety in AI applications. However, concerns have been raised about potential risks of unauthorized surveillance or censorship stemming from these regulations.