A new poll has revealed that a majority of Americans believe artificial intelligence (AI), the technology that enables machines to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, could pose a serious threat to humanity. This concern is widespread across political lines, even among supporters of former President Donald Trump, who has downplayed the risks. According to a survey by Politico, 70 percent of voters who supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election believed there was at least a moderate risk that AI could destroy humanity. Among Trump voters, 61 percent shared similar concerns, while 20 percent thought the risk was very low and 9 percent said there was no risk at all. Overall, 63 percent of respondents believed AI could pose a significant or even existential threat. The survey comes amid growing debate over the pace of AI development. Recently, some of the leading figures in the AI field, including Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic, and Elon Musk of xAI, have suggested that slowing down AI progress might be necessary. This call for caution followed the resignation of Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic, who claimed he left because AI developers were “gambling with our lives.” His departure and subsequent media appearances sparked a broader conversation about whether the risks of AI are real or exaggerated for regulatory or competitive advantage. President Trump has strongly rejected the idea that AI poses a threat, calling it a “hoax” and comparing it to past controversies, including claims about global warming and Russian interference. In a social media post, Trump claimed he was the only “guardrail” needed for AI, emphasizing the importance of a strong leader to control the technology. He also warned that overregulation could allow China to take the lead in AI development, stating, “Don’t kill the Golden Goose.” His stance has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, with Senator Bernie Sanders calling Trump’s ignorance on AI “truly embarrassing.” Beyond the political debate, concerns about AI extend to its environmental impact. A recent survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago found that 53 percent of Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the environmental effects of AI data centers, which require large amounts of energy. Meanwhile, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have begun to take action, with some Democrats considering forming a House select committee on AI and Republicans proposing legislation that would require AI developers to include a “kill switch” in their programs. As the technology continues to evolve, the public’s growing unease reflects the complex and rapidly changing landscape of AI.