Verasight poll: Americans want AI development to slow down

A new Verasight survey finds 63% of Americans want AI development to slow down, while 78% oppose a large data center near their home. The poll also shows broad support for putting the burden on AI companies to prioritize safety over speed.

Why it matters: - The poll suggests public skepticism toward rapid AI rollout is now widespread, not limited to one party or one demographic. - The results could pressure AI companies to emphasize safety testing, slower deployment and local community concerns. - The findings also show how opposition to data centers could complicate AI infrastructure plans at the local level.

What happened: - Verasight released findings from its September 2026 National Survey on AI and technology. - The nationwide poll found 63% of Americans want AI development to slow down. - Only 5% say AI development should speed up. - The survey found 78% oppose a large data center within 10 miles of their home. - The full report is available at the full report.

The details: - When asked to choose between two AI companies, 73% picked the company that develops more slowly and spends more time on safety testing, even if its technology is somewhat less advanced. - Just 12% chose the company building more advanced tools more quickly. - Support for slowing AI development crossed party lines: 75% of Democrats, 59% of independents and 51% of Republicans agreed. - Forty-five percent said they worry more about AI being developed too quickly and causing serious harm. - Eleven percent said they worry more about the United States falling behind China. - Another 36% said both concerns worry them equally. - Half of respondents said AI and nuclear weapons pose about equal risks to humanity. - Twenty-four percent said AI poses the greater risk. - Twenty-three percent said nuclear weapons pose the greater risk. - Four percent said neither poses a serious risk. - Fifty-five percent said AI companies themselves should be responsible for slowing the pace of development. - Thirty-seven percent said the government should be responsible. - Ben Leff, Verasight CEO and co-founder, said Americans want the people building AI to apply the brakes. - Leff also said most Americans do not use the most advanced AI features.

Between the lines: - The results point to a political opening for a “slow down and verify” message around AI, especially because concerns about safety outweigh concerns about international competition. - The strong opposition to nearby data centers suggests AI’s physical footprint is becoming a public-relations and zoning issue, not just a software issue. - The spending experiment shows local benefits can soften resistance, but support depends heavily on who gets the money and how directly residents benefit. - The community is far more receptive to lower electricity bills or direct household payments than to unrestricted local government funding.

What's next: - The survey suggests AI firms may face more pressure to explain safety practices, not just product capabilities. - Data center developers may need more local incentives and clearer community benefits to win support for new projects. - Public debate over AI regulation is likely to keep focusing on whether industry or government should set the pace.

The bottom line: - Americans are not just worried about AI. They want the industry to slow down first, and they want local communities to have more say over where the infrastructure goes.