US voters show growing distrust and fear of AI, Financial Times says

In short: Fear and distrust of artificial intelligence is rising across the US political spectrum, even as many national leaders push for faster AI adoption.

What's going on

A new Financial Times opinion column argues that worry about artificial intelligence, often shortened to AI (computer systems that can write, analyze, and make decisions), is becoming a rare point of agreement in US politics. The column says this anxiety shows up on the political right, center, and left.

It points to polling and local reactions. Gallup data cited in the piece says almost three quarters of Americans do not trust businesses to use AI responsibly. The column also says more than 70 percent oppose new data centers in their area, partly due to concerns about higher water use and electricity costs. Data centers are large buildings full of computers, like warehouses for online services.

The writer also describes a trust problem created by some AI leaders themselves. Tech executives have publicly warned about severe AI risks while also promoting big benefits, which the column says can make people suspicious. The piece notes an industry divide between “closed” AI systems (where key settings are kept private) and “open-weight” systems (where more of the model’s inner settings are shared), and suggests companies may favor whichever approach helps their business.

What to watch

The column argues that US politicians, including President Donald Trump, are not matching voter concerns with clear safety rules. It suggests this gap could make AI policy more unpredictable, especially as fights over local data center projects, job automation, and AI regulation keep spreading.

Source: Financial Times