Americans really want more AI regulations: Poll

A new survey by Johns Hopkins University reveals strong American support for regulating artificial intelligence, with over 70% favoring laws that allow people to opt out of AI interactions in medical, legal, educational, and government settings. The poll, conducted by SurveyUSA from April 29 to May 4 with 2,122 participants, found that 79% want human involvement in medical care, 76% in legal proceedings, and 74% in education. While 80% of skilled daily AI users expressed optimism about the technology, only 24% of infrequent users shared that view. The data also highlights generational differences: 41% of adults aged 18 to 29 held a positive outlook on AI, compared to just 18% of those 60 and older. Nearly half of young working adults reported feeling pressured to use AI tools, while only about 20% of older adults experienced the same pressure. The survey was released amid growing concerns about AI-related job losses and privacy risks, despite the absence of comprehensive federal AI legislation in the U.S. Christopher Honey, a computational cognitive neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins, noted that even daily AI users and those with positive views on the technology support regulations. The findings suggest broad public demand for safeguards, particularly in high-stakes areas where human judgment remains critical. The survey underscores a divided but cautious public stance on AI, with calls for balanced innovation and oversight.