A large majority of American voters believe artificial intelligence could pose a serious threat to U.S. workers, while many say the Trump administration and Congress are not doing enough to address the risks associated with the rapidly developing technology, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The survey found that 84% of registered voters view AI as a threat to American workers. That figure was significantly higher than the share who identified illegal immigration, foreign-worker competition or large corporations as threats to U.S. jobs.
The concerns extend beyond employment. About 62% of voters said AI could eventually get out of control and put the future of humanity at risk. That figure is roughly unchanged from a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in August 2025.
The six-day survey, conducted nationwide from September 30 to October 5, comes as artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly important issue ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, when control of Congress will be contested.
The poll also found broad support for tighter government oversight. About 61% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats and a bipartisan majority overall said they favor stricter government regulation of AI.
At the same time, 57% of registered voters said the Trump administration has not taken AI risks seriously enough or has not taken them seriously at all. About 54% expressed the same view about Congress. Even among Republicans, roughly one-third said the administration was not taking the risks seriously enough.
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AI’s rapid expansion has raised concerns on several fronts. Researchers have warned about the possibility of increasingly autonomous AI systems, while cybersecurity incidents involving AI tools have added to public anxiety. The technology’s growing energy demands have also brought scrutiny as large data centers are built near communities and put additional pressure on local power systems.
Trump has consistently supported the expansion of AI and the construction of data centers, arguing that the technology is important for maintaining U.S. competitiveness. He has also pointed to competition with China when discussing why the government should avoid imposing extensive restrictions on the industry.
Daniel Kokotajlo, a former OpenAI employee who left the company in 2024 over concerns about its approach to AI safety, said employment and human safety are more immediate concerns for many Americans.
“That’s an important concern but it’s not top of mind for most Americans, nor should it be,” Kokotajlo said.
A White House official, responding to the poll’s findings, pointed Reuters to Trump’s newly established AI task force and said its goal is to ensure that “America continues to lead the world” in the technology.
“The Trump administration’s priority is to ensure there is a booming economy so that workers have many opportunities and experience limited volatility from any short-term disruptions,” the official said when asked about concerns over AI-related job losses.
Calls for federal action have come from politicians and figures across the political spectrum. Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, have both called for greater federal restrictions on AI.
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The Trump administration has so far emphasized voluntary measures. Trump said last week that executives from six major AI companies had agreed to voluntary safety principles, including working with independent auditors to examine whether AI systems are operating as intended.
The agreement involves Nvidia, SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta and Alphabet’s Google. However, it does not specify penalties for companies that choose not to follow the principles.
Congress has yet to reach an agreement on legislation establishing broader federal guardrails for AI. Lawmakers are also expected to remain away from Washington until after the midterm elections.
The poll found that concerns are not limited to AI software itself. About 56% of voters said they support restrictions on the construction of data centers that power AI systems. Support was highest among Democrats at 69%, followed by independents at 55% and Republicans at 43%.
Data center construction has become a growing issue in congressional and statewide races as communities grapple with the infrastructure and electricity demands associated with the facilities.
Voters are also increasingly concerned about the military use of artificial intelligence. About 57% said the U.S. government should not use AI to determine the target of a military strike. That is up from 49% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in August 2025.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey was conducted online among 4,506 U.S. adults nationwide, including 3,526 registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of 2 percentage points for the overall sample, with a margin of error of about 3 percentage points for some subgroups.