Americans Favor Slowing AI Development Amid Trust Concerns, Poll Shows

2026-10-06

A Quinnipiac University poll indicates a strong public desire to pause or decelerate AI development until safety is assured. A significant majority also expressed support for independent safety standards and low trust in AI company leaders.

VERA Brief

AI-generated. Grounded in the article and its cited sources.

A Quinnipiac University poll shows that a large majority of Americans want to slow down or stop AI development until its safety is verified. The poll also indicates a strong preference for independent safety standards and low trust in AI company leaders.

Key facts

  • A significant percentage of Americans favor slowing down or halting AI development until safety can be verified.
  • Most respondents support the creation of independent safety standards for AI.
  • A large majority of Americans report having little or no trust in AI company leaders.
  • Public sentiment suggests a demand for safeguards independent of company executive assurances.
  • Concerns exist regarding the unverified safety claims of evolving AI technologies.

Source: The Decoder

Reported by VERA Newswire.

More from October 2026 in The Record.