AI anxiety is sweeping the globe — and cutting across party lines: poll

An anti-AI placard. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images The freakout over AI that started in Silicon Valley has swept Western countries. A new POLITICO Poll finds that pluralities of adults in the US, Canada, and Europe want to pause AI development. A majority of those surveyed also believe there's a real risk the technology could destroy humanity. The freakout over AI that started in Silicon Valley and led to growing American calls to pause development has swept Western countries. A new POLITICO Poll finds that pluralities of adults in the US, Canada, and Europe want to pause AI development regardless of their political leanings — and most believe there's a real risk the technology could destroy humanity. Pluralities of respondents in several countries say it's okay for their country to fall behind others in the development of AI if it means being more responsible and secure when advancing it.