AIPI Poll Finds 80% Back Mandatory AI Safety Reviews as Trump Keeps Vetting Voluntary
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 29
AIPI Poll Finds 80% Back Mandatory AI Safety Reviews as Trump Keeps Vetting Voluntary
2 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 29
Summary
1,007 likely voters surveyed by the AI Policy Institute overwhelmingly backed mandatory formal safety reviews for powerful AI systems before public release, going beyond the Trump administration’s opt-in approach.
More than 60% of both Republicans and Democrats said the federal government—not AI companies—should set and enforce AI safety standards, marking a partisan shift as Republicans now show greater trust in government AI oversight than Democrats.
Two-thirds of respondents preferred allowing AI with guardrails over banning it, but when the alternative was unregulated AI, voters strongly favored an outright ban.
Data centers drew a similar response: 47% would allow them with safety and security rules, versus 38% who would ban them entirely, as local opposition has already blocked or delayed nearly $130 billion in projects this year.
The poll lands as Washington intensifies scrutiny of advanced models after Trump’s June cybersecurity order and recent limits on OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 and Anthropic’s Mythos 5 releases.
With voters demanding AI safety checks, can the U.S. regulate powerful systems without losing the global innovation race?
The government ordered AI offline over security fears. Who really controls the world’s most powerful new technology?
AI’s huge energy needs are straining power grids. Is the tech boom on a collision course with our critical infrastructure?
Voluntary AI Safety in the U.S.: Public Calls for Stricter Regulation Clash with Trump Administration Policy
Overview
In June 2026, the Trump administration introduced a voluntary framework for AI safety reviews, aiming to guide the development of advanced AI systems through collaboration with the tech industry rather than strict mandates. This approach, which includes a 30-day government review period for advanced AI models, reflects a preference for cooperative engagement over compulsory regulation. However, this voluntary stance persists despite growing public calls for stronger government oversight of AI. The administration’s strategy highlights a significant gap between policy and public demand, as many Americans seek more robust, mandatory safeguards to address concerns about AI’s societal and security impacts.