Polling / Elections

How Americans View Tech, Elections and Artificial Intelligence

September 2024

About These Results

Online sample of 1061 respondents fielded over web panels from September 21 to September 22 and weighted to education, gender, race and 2020 election results. The margin of error is +/- 3.6.

Toplines

Q1. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Privacy

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	50	52	48	50
Very important	39	38	41	38
Somewhat important	9	8	9	11
Not at all important	2	1	2	2

Percent of respondents · Source: page 2

Q2. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Kids safety

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	54	54	53	55
Very important	35	36	37	34
Somewhat important	8	8	7	9
Not at all important	2	1	3	2

Percent of respondents · Source: page 2

Q3. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Election integrity

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	52	50	45	61
Very important	34	36	36	29
Somewhat important	10	10	14	8
Not at all important	4	4	5	2

Percent of respondents · Source: page 3

Q4. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Censorship

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	21	18	18	28
Very important	35	35	39	32
Somewhat important	31	36	30	25
Not at all important	13	11	13	14

Percent of respondents · Source: page 3

Q5. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Content moderation

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	13	14	13	13
Very important	36	39	33	34
Somewhat important	36	39	37	31
Not at all important	15	7	17	22

Percent of respondents · Source: page 4

Q6. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Disinformation

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	36	44	32	30
Very important	38	40	40	35
Somewhat important	17	12	18	21
Not at all important	9	4	10	14

Percent of respondents · Source: page 4

Q7. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Cyberattacks

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	41	44	39	40
Very important	42	43	46	39
Somewhat important	13	11	12	17
Not at all important	3	2	3	4

Percent of respondents · Source: page 5

Q8. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Nuclear weapons

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	39	38	36	42
Very important	36	38	35	34
Somewhat important	17	17	18	16
Not at all important	8	7	11	7

Percent of respondents · Source: page 5

Q9. Which of these policy issues are most important to you when it comes to technology? Biological weapons

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Most important	34	35	30	35
Very important	37	37	34	40
Somewhat important	20	21	26	14
Not at all important	10	8	10	12

Percent of respondents · Source: page 6

Q10. Where do you get your information on the safety of artificial intelligence (AI)? [Select all that apply]

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Social media like Tik Tok, X, Facebook and Instagram	20	19	20	21
TV news media	27	27	27	29
Friends and family	12	8	14	15
Newspapers	5	7	4	3
Online news websites	28	29	28	26
Using artificial intelligence tools myself	9	12	7	7

Percent of respondents · Source: page 6

Q11. Do you believe that social media influencers on websites like Tik Tok, Facebook, X, and Instagram should be required by law to disclose if they are being paid by parties, PACs or other political entities for the content they generate?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Yes	84	85	86	83
No	16	15	14	17

Percent of respondents · Source: page 7

Q12. How much do you want to see political content in your social media (Tik Tok, Facebook, X, and Instagram) newsfeed?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
A lot	8	8	6	9
A modest amount	22	24	15	25
A little	28	30	29	25
Not at all	42	37	50	41

Percent of respondents · Source: page 7

Q13. Relative to how much political content you currently see in your social media (Tik Tok, Facebook, X, and Instagram) newsfeed, would you like to see…

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
More political content	6	6	5	5
About the same amount of political content	41	44	36	40
Less political content	54	49	60	55

Percent of respondents · Source: page 8

Q14. Relative to how much content from political candidates you currently see in your social media (Tik Tok, Facebook, X, and Instagram) newsfeed, would you like to see…

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
More political content	6	6	4	6
About the same amount of political content	39	43	34	38
Less political content	55	51	62	56

Percent of respondents · Source: page 8

Q15. When it comes to politics, which of these activities is it acceptable for technology companies to engage in? Reminding people to register to vote

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Acceptable	92	96	90	88
Not acceptable	8	4	10	12

Percent of respondents · Source: page 9

Q16. When it comes to politics, which of these activities is it acceptable for technology companies to engage in? Remind people when Election Day is

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Acceptable	93	95	93	91
Not acceptable	7	5	7	9

Percent of respondents · Source: page 9

Q17. When it comes to politics, which of these activities is it acceptable for technology companies to engage in? Selling political ads

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Acceptable	38	39	35	39
Not acceptable	62	61	65	61

Percent of respondents · Source: page 9

Q18. When it comes to politics, which of these activities is it acceptable for technology companies to engage in? Take action on candidates who violate rules

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Acceptable	74	82	74	63
Not acceptable	26	18	26	37

Percent of respondents · Source: page 10

Q19. When it comes to politics, which of these activities is it acceptable for technology companies to engage in? Change the amount of political content see in feed

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Acceptable	51	56	49	46
Not acceptable	49	44	51	54

Percent of respondents · Source: page 10

Q20. When it comes to information about artificial intelligence, how much do you trust the following? Journalists

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Trust a lot	7	13	4	3
Trust somewhat	40	58	37	19
Distrust somewhat	29	23	35	30
Distrust a lot	24	6	23	48

Percent of respondents · Source: page 10

Q21. When it comes to information about artificial intelligence, how much do you trust the following? Influencers

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Trust a lot	3	5	2	2
Trust somewhat	23	27	19	21
Distrust somewhat	38	43	37	33
Distrust a lot	36	24	43	44

Percent of respondents · Source: page 11

Q22. When it comes to information about artificial intelligence, how much do you trust the following? Politicians

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Trust a lot	3	4	2	2
Trust somewhat	18	25	13	15
Distrust somewhat	40	46	35	36
Distrust a lot	39	25	51	47

Percent of respondents · Source: page 11

Q23. When it comes to information about artificial intelligence, how much do you trust the following? Regulators

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Trust a lot	6	8	3	5
Trust somewhat	42	56	35	31
Distrust somewhat	32	27	38	34
Distrust a lot	20	9	24	30

Percent of respondents · Source: page 12

Q24. When it comes to information about artificial intelligence, how much do you trust the following? Tech CEOs

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Trust a lot	4	5	1	4
Trust somewhat	29	32	27	27
Distrust somewhat	39	41	38	37
Distrust a lot	28	21	33	32

Percent of respondents · Source: page 12

Q25. When online, do you prefer to be given a broad range of content or opinions or mostly see content that is similar and aligns with your views?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Diverse range of content and views	44	49	45	37
Similar content	24	25	19	27
Equally both	32	26	36	36

Percent of respondents · Source: page 13

Q26. When it comes to filtering out content that might be violent, graphic or extreme, who do you trust to make content moderation decisions:

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Government	16	24	13	10
Private companies	22	23	18	22
Neither	62	53	69	68

Percent of respondents · Source: page 13

Q27. When it comes to filtering out each type of content below, select who do you trust to make content moderation decisions: Violent content

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Government	25	36	21	16
Private companies	26	25	24	30
Neither	48	39	56	54

Percent of respondents · Source: page 14

Q28. When it comes to filtering out each type of content below, select who do you trust to make content moderation decisions: Sexual content

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Government	23	33	19	15
Private companies	28	27	28	30
Neither	48	39	53	55

Percent of respondents · Source: page 14

Q29. When it comes to filtering out each type of content below, select who do you trust to make content moderation decisions: Extreme political content

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Government	24	33	22	15
Private companies	23	27	20	21
Neither	53	40	58	64

Percent of respondents · Source: page 15

Q30. When it comes to filtering out each type of content below, select who do you trust to make content moderation decisions: Hate speech

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Government	29	41	22	19
Private companies	22	23	21	21
Neither	50	36	57	59

Percent of respondents · Source: page 15

Q31. When it comes to filtering out each type of content below, select who do you trust to make content moderation decisions: Racist content

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Government	26	37	25	13
Private companies	23	23	18	26
Neither	52	40	57	61

Percent of respondents · Source: page 16

Q32. When searching for content on platforms, would you like to see platforms highlight or recommend popular political memes and content?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Platforms should not highlight political content	69	65	71	74
Platforms should highlight political content	31	35	29	26

Percent of respondents · Source: page 16

Q33. Where will you get your information on the upcoming election? Social media like Tik Tok, X, Facebook and Instagram

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Yes	36	39	29	36
No	64	61	71	64

Percent of respondents · Source: page 16

Q34. Where will you get your information on the upcoming election? TV news media

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Yes	64	72	58	60
No	36	28	42	40

Percent of respondents · Source: page 17

Q35. Where will you get your information on the upcoming election? Friends and family

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Yes	35	32	37	38
No	65	68	63	62

Percent of respondents · Source: page 17

Q36. Where will you get your information on the upcoming election? Newspapers

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Yes	25	31	25	19
No	75	69	75	81

Percent of respondents · Source: page 17

Q37. Where will you get your information on the upcoming election? Online news websites

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Yes	47	55	43	42
No	53	45	57	58

Percent of respondents · Source: page 18

Q38. Where will you get your information on the upcoming election? Other

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Yes	12	5	13	19
No	88	95	87	81

Percent of respondents · Source: page 18

Q39. Where will you get your information on the upcoming election? None of these

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Yes	7	8	6	6
No	93	92	94	94

Percent of respondents · Source: page 18

Q40. Which approach to AI regulation would you prefer?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Ban: Under this approach, building AI systems larger than those currently in existence would be made illegal for the time being. More powerful systems would only be allowed to be built after more research has been conducted to prove that these more powerful models would be safe.	23	14	24	33
No regulation: Under this approach, AI systems themselves would not be subject to regulatory requirements. All regulation would fall on users of foundation AI models, who would be responsible for how to use models for illegal activity. Producers of the models would not face additional regulation.	9	7	8	11
Safety mandates: Under this approach, companies developing advanced AI systems would be mandated to implement safety measures and security standards for their most advanced models. They could only release the model once a government oversight board certifies they have properly accounted for extreme risks, including preventing AI from being used to create bioweapons and launch cyberattacks	68	78	67	56

Percent of respondents · Source: page 19

Q41. Some lawmakers are proposing security requirements for advanced AI systems. Companies working on important AI would need to use strong security measures to keep their technology safe, with more valuable AI requiring tighter security. Do you support or oppose these requirements?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Support these requirements	79	85	80	72
Oppose these requirements	5	5	3	7
Not sure	16	10	17	21

Percent of respondents · Source: page 20

Q42. There is an ongoing discussion about implementing mandatory security requirements for artificial intelligence companies. Proponents argue these measures are essential to safeguard critical AI technologies from potential theft or compromise by foreign entities, which could threaten national security. Opponents contend that such regulations would stifle innovation and limit widespread access to AI technologies by creating excessive barriers. Which perspective do you find more convincing?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Supporters of mandatory security requirements	65	69	70	57
Opponents of mandatory security requirements	15	17	9	17
Not sure	20	14	21	26

Percent of respondents · Source: page 20

Q43. The ENFORCE Act aims to strengthen U.S. export controls by preventing foreign adversaries from accessing American artificial intelligence and other critical technologies. It amends existing laws to grant the President additional authority to regulate the export and activities related to these technologies for national security purposes. Do you support or oppose the ENFORCE act?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Support the ENFORCE act	63	68	61	58
Oppose the ENFORCE act	10	9	8	14
Not sure	27	24	31	28

Percent of respondents · Source: page 21

Q44. Please indicate how much you agree with each of the following statements: It would be a good thing if AI progress was stopped or significantly slowed.

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Strongly agree	21	15	25	23
Somewhat agree	32	37	25	32
Somewhat disagree	22	23	23	19
Strongly disagree	9	10	8	10
Not sure	16	15	19	16
Agree	52	52	50	55
Disagree	31	33	31	29
Net Support	21	19	19	26

Percent of respondents · Source: page 22

Q45. Please indicate how much you agree with each of the following statements: It doesn’t matter to me whether or not something I am reading, watching, or consuming was generated by AI.

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Strongly agree	8	9	7	9
Somewhat agree	18	18	14	21
Somewhat disagree	31	36	30	26
Strongly disagree	34	29	39	34
Not sure	9	7	10	10
Agree	27	27	21	30
Disagree	64	66	69	59
Net Support	-38	-38	-48	-29

Percent of respondents · Source: page 23

Q46. Please indicate how much you agree with each of the following statements: I feel afraid of artificial intelligence.

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Strongly agree	16	12	18	20
Somewhat agree	34	33	34	35
Somewhat disagree	24	28	23	20
Strongly disagree	15	16	12	16
Not sure	11	11	15	8
Agree	50	45	51	55
Disagree	39	44	34	36
Net Support	11	1	17	19

Percent of respondents · Source: page 24

Q47. Please indicate how much you agree with each of the following statements: Tech company executives can’t be trusted to self-regulate the AI industry.

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
Strongly agree	34	32	38	32
Somewhat agree	36	40	33	35
Somewhat disagree	12	12	7	17
Strongly disagree	6	6	5	6
Not sure	12	9	17	11
Agree	70	73	71	67
Disagree	18	18	12	23
Net Support	52	54	59	44

Percent of respondents · Source: page 25

Q48. Some people say we should speed up AI development because it will bring technology which makes our lives healthier and happier. Others say going too fast could be dangerous as fast AI progress poses safety risks and could upend the economy, so we should move slowly and deliberately. What do you think?

Response	All	Dem.	Ind.	Rep.
We should speed up development	16	18	14	15
We should go slow and deliberately	84	82	86	85

Percent of respondents · Source: page 25

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Methodology

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About These Results

Toplines

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