People Really, Really Despise AI - Even More Than ICE, Poll Finds

"According to a new national survey conducted by NBC News, AI is viewed even more negatively than the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the militarized agency that has been embroiled in major controversy over its brutal deportation program, including the fatal shooting of unarmed civilians. According to the poll, only 26 percent of 1,000 registered voter respondents said they viewed AI positively, while a far bigger proportion of 46 percent viewed it negatively."

"The shocking results once again highlight major disillusionment surrounding AI, an indictment underlining a growing schism between the excitement felt by company leaders and the quickly waning enthusiasm of their employees, who are being told to use the tech often against their will - potentially making their own roles redundant."

"Industry's obsession with the tech has driven up electricity bills, been used to justify mass layoffs, and even helped the US military determine where to drop bombs on Iran. It's also quickly become an insufferable and practically inescapable part of everyday life, minting plenty of critics who range from average Americans to top AI researchers."

Anti-AI sentiment has intensified significantly over the past year despite continued industry hype. The technology has faced criticism for increasing electricity consumption, enabling mass layoffs, and supporting military targeting decisions. A national NBC News survey reveals stark public disapproval, with AI receiving a net favorability rating of negative 20 points. Only 26 percent of respondents viewed AI positively while 46 percent held negative views. This backlash reflects growing disillusionment between corporate enthusiasm and employee concerns about job security. The Department of Defense's use of AI for military targeting in Iran has further damaged public perception, contributing to widespread skepticism among both average citizens and prominent AI researchers.

Read at Futurism