Most Americans Say AI Is Developing Too Fast

By Suad Seferi · 9 October 2026

Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe artificial intelligence is developing too quickly, according to a new national survey released on October 8 by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The findings show that 64% of U.S. adults consider the current pace of AI development too fast, compared with just 8% who believe it is moving too slowly. Approximately one-quarter say development is progressing at about the right pace. The survey, conducted between September 24 and 28, 2026, involved 2,140 adults across the United States. It comes as technology companies continue introducing increasingly capable AI systems into workplaces, education, information services and other areas of daily life. Beyond concerns about speed, the research identifies two priorities shared by large majorities of respondents: keeping AI under human control and protecting workers from its potential consequences. Concerns extend across political divisions Although attitudes differ between political groups, concern about the pace of AI development is widespread. Among Democrats, 76% believe AI is advancing too quickly. The figure is lower among Republicans, at 54%, but still represents a majority. The findings suggest that unease about AI development extends across political affiliations, even when respondents disagree about the broader role of government in regulating emerging technologies. There is also considerable agreement about several policy objectives. Roughly eight in ten respondents consider protecting American workers and keeping AI under human control important priorities for the U.S. government. The survey also found broad support across political groups for technological innovation, indicating that concern about AI does not necessarily translate into opposition to its development. Differences become more pronounced when respondents are asked about environmental protection and competition with other countries. Workers and human oversight emerge as priorities The emphasis on employment protection reflects an increasingly important question in the public discussion about artificial intelligence: how technological progress should be managed when it affects existing jobs. AI systems are becoming capable of performing tasks previously carried out by employees, particularly in areas involving information processing, customer communication, administrative work and software development. The AP-NORC findings do not measure actual job losses or predict how employment will change. They measure public priorities at a time when businesses and governments are deciding how to introduce increasingly autonomous technologies. Human oversight is another central concern. As AI applications move beyond generating content toward carrying out tasks and supporting decisions, questions about responsibility become more significant. For public institutions and companies, this includes determining when automated systems should require human approval and who remains accountable when mistakes occur. The survey suggests that many Americans want these considerations to remain central to AI policy. Limited confidence in political leadership The research also examined public confidence in how political leaders are addressing artificial intelligence. Only 31% of respondents approve of President Donald Trump's handling of AI. Asked which major political party they trust more to manage the technology, 23% selected the Democratic Party and 21% the Republican Party. Another 39% said neither party could be trusted to do a good job. These findings point to limited public confidence in the ability of political institutions to address the challenges associated with AI development. They also suggest that respondents' concerns extend beyond the companies building AI systems to the institutions responsible for establishing rules and safeguards. AI has a limited role in election information The survey examined whether Americans are using AI to obtain information ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. Twenty-one percent reported that they had used or planned to use AI to learn about a political candidate or an issue appearing on the ballot. The figures were lower for other election-related activities. Twelve percent had used or planned to use AI to find information about voting procedures, while 10% reported the same for voter registration information. Another 10% said they had used or planned to use AI to help decide whom to vote for. Because these figures combine existing use with intended future use, they should not be interpreted as the proportion of Americans already relying on AI for electoral decisions. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that AI is becoming part of how some Americans approach political information, even as concerns about its reliability and oversight persist. What the findings mean beyond the United States The survey reflects American public opinion and cannot be treated as evidence of attitudes in Europe or the Western Balkans. However, the policy questions it raises are relevant to countries considering how to regulate AI and introduce it into public services, education and business. For Western Balkan economies, where AI adoption is developing alongside efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure and public-sector capacity, questions about skills, employment and human accountability are likely to remain important. The findings also illustrate why measuring AI adoption alone provides an incomplete picture of public attitudes. People may use AI tools while remaining concerned about how quickly the technology is advancing and whether sufficient safeguards are in place. For policymakers, the challenge is to distinguish public support for technological innovation from public confidence in the institutions overseeing its development. The AP-NORC survey provides evidence of that distinction in the United States. Whether similar attitudes exist across the Western Balkans would require comparable regional research.