As the US stands in a band of $500 billion in artificial intelligence, a new study reveals deep public skepticism about governments' ability to regulate technology.
New polling data from research firm Prolific reveals a major disconnect between public expectations and government AI strategies. Through its verified participants platform, the company surveyed a representative survey of 2,000 US and UK respondents on February 4, providing bank grade verification and anonymous responses.
Nearly 90% believe that AI will significantly reshape everyday life within the next 10 years, and expect this change in almost half within almost five years, but the majority believe that they have serious doubts about how this change will be managed.
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Approximately 56% of respondents believe that current AI policies require significant improvements to ensure broader social benefits.
That doesn't mean there's no strong public enthusiasm for the possibilities of AI. There is. But people want to see policies that prioritize inclusion, equity and the protection of the workforce.
From the polls, 66% of respondents believe that AI needs to be created with opinions from people from a wide range of backgrounds, including geography, occupation, socioeconomic status, age, abilities, and education, to ensure that technology meets the demands of diverse societies.
AI safety, risk assessment, and consistency with human values were all at the forefront of mind for respondents.
Only 38% believe that a $500 billion investment will benefit the general public, with an impressive 76% of AI funds primarily favoring large tech companies.
Policymakers have the opportunity to hear here. Medical and medical research were the best response (almost 30%) when asked where investment should go. This demonstrates the majority of public support for the role of AI in improving key industries.
Only 36% were convinced that planned investments would benefit academic institutions.
Workforce security
With 68% anticipating unemployment over the next decade, the impact of AI on the workforce appears to be a serious concern.
These concerns underscore the importance of responsible AI development. Like an advanced AI agent Robin It aims to empower workers and add value during the many ups and downs of job hunting.
For example, if you upload your resume to Robin and ask if the company offers birth money, the employment manager can see that the question was asked, but he cannot link to the person who asked the question. Click “Forgot” to delete the data. This approach to data benefits individual job seekers rather than corporate entities.
“AI is poised to make significant advancements, but its development must be guided by transparency, inclusiveness and accountability,” said a prolific spokesman.
“This research highlights the public's appeal for AI that benefits society as a whole. There is a clear opportunity for policymakers and industry leaders to ensure that AI innovation aligns with public priorities, builds trust and has a meaningful impact.”
China's Challenger
Geopolitical, Americans are confident in their technical leadership.
Already, 60% believe that the US is a global leader in AI, 54% expect the US to maintain control of AI innovation over the next five years, with China (44%) being considered a major competitor.
It should also be noted that the study was conducted in early February 2025, following the announcement of the US government's national AI development strategy, and shortly after Deepseek's R1 model caused a rapid decline in stock prices on January 27th.
Survey results from Abundant work The investigation is clear. Americans want a fair and balanced approach to AI development. It benefits the broad foundation of society.
While the massive potential of AI is recognized, respondents are wary of unidentified corporate strength and are worried about the future of their work.
The Trump government has an important opportunity to build public trust by developing comprehensive AI policies that truly serve not only high-tech companies but also the public. The next five to ten years are extremely important.
It remains to be seen whether policymakers will stand up to challenges and create systems that reflect the public values of equity, innovation and shared prosperity.
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