College of Maryland survey discovered that help for AI regulation crosses occasion traces
In sum – what it’s worthwhile to know:
–United on AI – Giant majorities of U.S. residents, no matter occasion affiliation, are cautious of unregulated synthetic intelligence and wish to see AI regulation of some kind that limits or guides the know-how’s growth.
–Concern about competitiveness – Whereas survey members have additionally expressed that they are not looking for authorities AI regulation to stifle growth, and are involved about China outpacing the U.S. in AI, they have been extra involved concerning the potential harms of AI not being addressed till after the very fact.
A newly launched survey from the College of Maryland has discovered that there’s broad help throughout occasion traces for presidency regulation of synthetic intelligence.
The survey was fielded from July thirtieth via August seventh, 2025 with 1,202 adults nationwide, by the Program for Public Session (PPC) on the College of Maryland’s Faculty of Public Coverage.
“Clearly People are severely involved concerning the present and potential harms from AI,” stated Steven Kull, director of PPC. “And whereas the general public is cautious of presidency regulation, they’re clearly extra cautious of the unconstrained growth and use of AI.”
The survey discovered that whereas majorities of 59-69% of these surveyed agreed that they didn’t wish to stifle AI innovation (and thought the non-public sector might transfer sooner than the federal government to deal with dangers), considerably extra folks (77-84%) wished to see accountable innovation, agreeing that it was higher to be preventive than reactive concerning the potential harms of AI.
“As an alternative of letting issues out into the world after which reacting based mostly on flaws, they have to be functioning to their finest capacity beforehand,” one participant advised PPC as a part of the survey on AI regulation.
The PPC survey discovered that bipartisan majorities proceed to favor concepts comparable to authorities certification of AI to guage whether or not fashions violate rules, have safety vulnerabilities or make biased choices (79% help general, with 84% help amongst Republicans and 81% help amongst Democrats), and permitting authorities audits of AI software program that’s already in use, with firms being required to repair any issues (78% help, together with 82% amongst Republicans and 78% amongst Democrats).
The PPC survey additionally discovered help for requiring firms to confide in the federal government how decision-making AI was educated, if that data was requested. There was additionally a really excessive help (80% general, with help stronger amongst Republicans) for prohibition or clear labeling of fully fabricated deepfakes in political promoting.
The findings have been in keeping with a earlier survey carried out by PPC within the spring of 2024, when a survey of greater than 3,600 registered voters concluded that “very giant bipartisan majorities favor giving the federal authorities broad powers to control synthetic intelligence.”
Different makes an attempt to take the temperature of U.S. residents on how or whether or not they assume AI needs to be regulated have had comparable findings. In April of this 12 months, Pew Analysis surveyed each consultants and laypeople about AI and located that whereas consultants have been typically extra constructive concerning the potential impacts of AI, about six out of 10 U.S. adults, and 56% of AI consultants surveyed, have been extra involved concerning the U.S. authorities not going far sufficient in regulating AI, than they have been about it going too far in regulation.
Individually, a June 2025 survey of greater than 1,000 registered voters, commissioned by tech advocacy group TechNet and carried out by Morning Seek the advice of, discovered that almost all of have been involved about China outpacing the USA in AI growth, and most well-liked a nationwide AI regulatory framework versus state-dominated regulation of AI.
Nonetheless, the Trump administration just lately launched a federal AI Motion Plan that takes a intentionally mild hand with any limitations on AI, and orders a repeal of present federal rules or reexamination of authorized choices which “unnecessarily hinder” AI growth or deployment. It additionally focuses on worldwide export of American AI know-how, with the most important AI ecosystem seen as one of the best.
“Whoever has the biggest AI ecosystem will set world AI requirements and reap broad financial and army advantages. Identical to we gained the house race, it’s crucial that the USA and its allies win this race,” authors Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president for science and know-how; David Sacks, particular advisor for AI and crypto, and Marco Rubio — recognized as assistant to the president for nationwide safety affairs, moderately than as secretary of state — within the introduction to the AI Motion Plan.
“AI is much too vital to smother in paperwork at this early stage, whether or not on the state or Federal degree,” the plan stated. “The Federal authorities shouldn’t enable AI-related Federal funding to be directed towards states with burdensome AI rules that waste these funds, however must also not intrude with states’ rights to move prudent legal guidelines that aren’t unduly restrictive to innovation.” Nonetheless, the plan additionally directs that company heads with federal funding for AI “restrict funding if the state’s AI regulatory regimes might hinder the effectiveness of that funding or award.”
The AI Motion Plan directs the Nationwide Institute for Requirements and Know-how (NIST) to revamp with AI threat administration framework to eradicate references to misinformation, DEI and local weather change. It outlines promotion of a “try-first” AI local weather for American companies, directs federal businesses to prioritize AI talent growth and funding in AI adoption, together with in next-generation manufacturing to “usher in a brand new industrial renaissance” and in AI-enabled science and information units; and drive adoption of AI inside authorities, together with within the Division of Protection.