Is AI a Threat to Humanity? Most Americans Think So

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According to a recent survey conducted by Reuters, over half of the American population is convinced that AI is a threat to the future of humanity. Survey turnout showed that 61% of respondents believe that AI poses risks to humanity, while only 22% disagreed, and 17% remained unsure.

A similar Ipsos poll conducted in April of this year, showed that over 70% of US residents are worried about the impact AI could have on jobs and society.

That poll also showed nearly 80% of Americans are concerned about AI driven disinformation, conspiracy theories, and fake news.

Additionally, the poll reported that approximately one is every six Americans has used a generative AI program like ChatGPT or DALL-E.

“It’s telling such a broad swath of Americans worry about the negative effects of AI,” said Landon Klein, Director of US policy at the Future of Life Institute, the organization behind the recent open letter submitted to government agencies demanding a pause in AI research.

Klein compared this moment in history to the beginning of the nuclear era, according to reports by Cyber News.

“We view the current moment similarly, and we have the benefit of public perception that is consistent with the need to take action,” Klein said.

ChatGPT’s creator, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, expressed similar concern over the potential risks of AI technology. Altman recently testified before the US Congress in Washington DC to talk about the need for AI regulations to deter the potential misuse of the technology.

While AI seems to offer great improvements in quality of life and work efficiency, for many, this technology poses a real risk and stricter regulations must be imposed on developers and companies specializing in AI.