Most Americans support regulating generative AI

A recent survey of 1,774 U.S. adults found that most Americans are both familiar with and distrustful of generative AI technology. A majority of Americans also support regulation of the generative AI industry. Below are some of the key findings:

A majority of U.S. adults are familiar with generative AI technology, and a notable sum have used a generative AI tool. Most U.S. adults hold some fear or distrust related to generative AI technology.

Two thirds (62%) of U.S. adults are familiar with generative AI technology. A quarter (23%) have used a generative AI tool before. A third (31%) of U.S. adults have not used a generative AI tool before but are interested in doing so. A similar number (29%) have not used a generative AI tool and are not interested in doing so.

Two thirds (64%) of U.S. adults do not trust generative AI technology. Those who are unfamiliar with generative AI technology over-index on this. Nearly three quarters (71%) of those who are not familiar with generative AI do not trust the technology (compared to 60% of those who are familiar with generative AI). That said, a majority of those familiar with the technology do not trust it.

Two thirds (64%) of U.S. adults fear that AI technology presents a threat to humanity.

While a majority of U.S. adults are excited about the development of generative AI tools, most are concerned about the potential harm generative AI could cause.

Over four in five (84%) U.S. adults agree that it would be easy for someone to abuse generative AI technology (i.e., use with the intent to do harm). Those who are familiar with generative AI technology over-index on this. Eighty-six percent of those who are familiar with generative AI technology agree that it would be easy for someone to abuse generative AI technology (vs. 80% of those who are not familiar).

Two thirds (68%) of U.S. adults are worried about generative AI technology negatively impacting the economy (e.g., threatening job security, health of the stock market), and more than half (56%) agree that generative AI and similar technologies worsens existing social inequalities (e.g., racial bias, income inequality).

Three in five (58%) of those who are familiar with generative AI technology agree that generative AI and similar technologies worsens existing social inequalities (compared to 53% of those who are not familiar with generative AI.)

More than half (55%; and 65% of those familiar with generative AI) are excited about the development of generative AI tools. Half (52%; and 60% of those familiar with generative AI) think the benefits of generative AI outweigh the risks. A similar number (51%) of U.S. adults agree that people are too concerned about the impact that generative AI technology will have on society.

Most U.S. adults support regulation of the generative AI industry

Two in five (38%) U.S. adults support suspending the public release of additional generative AI tools (e.g., new technologies, product updates).Two in five (40%) U.S. adults support providing access to generative AI technology for personal use, and 49% support providing access for professional use.

Over half (55%) of U.S. adults support industry investigation of generative AI technology (i.e., researching the benefits, risks, and implications of generative AI technology), and a similar number (53%) support regulation (e.g., laws regarding usage and product development, oversight committee) of the generative AI industry.

Two thirds (64%) of those who support generative AI industry regulation think measures should be taken to prevent the usage of people’s likenesses (i.e., images, voices, and other personally identifiable physical traits) in generative AI creations without their consent. Half (53%) support requiring users to disclose the use of generative AI tools in publicly available content (e.g., to create a piece of art, to write an essay draft).

A third (34%) of those who support the creation of a generative AI oversight organization think an independent oversight committee (i.e., a panel of industry experts, government officials, and other stakeholders) should be responsible for the industry’s regulation. A quarter (26%) think the U.S. federal government should be responsible for the industry’s regulation.

These surveys were conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll from April 7th, 2023 to April 10th, 2023 among 1,774 respondents. Figures for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, region, household income, and propensity to be online have been weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions within the US population. Respondents for this survey were selected from a pool of potential respondents who have agreed to participate in The Harris Poll’s online research. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 4.0 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.