Fox News Poll: Voters Voice Deep Skepticism Over AI's Breakneck Pace and Government's Ability to Rein It In

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in daily life—from healthcare to hiring—a new Fox News poll indicates a wary American electorate is growing uneasy with the speed of its adoption and skeptical of Washington's readiness to manage it.

The survey, conducted in late January, finds that 60% of registered voters believe the use of AI in the United States is advancing "too quickly." Only 6% say it's not moving fast enough. This sentiment cuts across party lines but reveals notable demographic divides: older voters, women, and Democrats express greater urgency for a slowdown compared to their younger, male, and Republican counterparts.

Perhaps more striking is the crisis of confidence in governance. Nearly two-thirds of voters (63%) say they have little to no faith in the federal government's ability to properly regulate artificial intelligence. This pessimism has held steady since 2023, suggesting that repeated calls for AI legislation and ethical frameworks have yet to reassure the public.

"This isn't just about technology; it's about trust," said Dr. Anya Sharma, a technology ethicist at Georgetown University who was not involved in the poll. "When people see rapid, opaque deployment of systems that affect jobs, privacy, and information, and simultaneously see a paralyzed political system, anxiety is a rational response."

The poll also explored AI's personal impact. A slim majority (53%) feel AI hasn't significantly changed their lives yet. Among those who have felt an effect, the experience is mixed: 26% report being helped by AI, while 20% say they've been harmed. The data points to a gendered and generational gap: younger men are among the most likely to report benefits, while nonwhite women and mothers are disproportionately among those who feel harmed.

Voices from the Poll: A Nation Divided on Tech's Tempo

We asked several voters to react to the poll's findings:

• Michael Torres, 42, Software Developer, Austin, TX: "The pace is fine—it's the lack of guardrails that's terrifying. We're building the plane while flying it, and the FAA is asleep at the controls. My confidence isn't low; it's nonexistent." (Emotional/Sharp)
• Eleanor Vance, 67, Retired Librarian, Columbus, OH: "Every week there's a new headline about AI deepfakes or job losses. It feels utterly reckless. How can we trust the same government that struggles with basic tech privacy laws to handle something this profound?"
• David Chen, 28, Graduate Student, Seattle, WA: "The skepticism is understandable, but slowing down isn't the answer. Other nations won't. We need smart, adaptive regulation that fosters innovation while protecting citizens. It's a tough balance, but doable."
• Rebecca Miller, 51, Small Business Owner, Orlando, FL: "I use AI tools for marketing and inventory. They've helped my business survive. The fear is overblown. The government should focus on clear rules for big tech, not stifling useful tools for the rest of us."

The poll underscores a central challenge for policymakers: advancing U.S. competitiveness in a global AI race while addressing a public mandate for caution and oversight. With trust in institutions already frayed, the path to credible AI governance appears fraught.

Methodology: The Fox News poll was conducted January 23-26, 2026, by Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). It includes interviews with 1,005 randomly selected registered voters nationwide. The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points for the full sample.