Prepared by Verasight

March 2026 Variety Survey

Name: Verasight March 2026 Variety Survey
Creator: Verasight

Survey results on Iran, AI safety, regulation, and technology in society

3,846 respondents

March 17 – March 16, 2026

5 topic sections

33 questions

Key Takeaways

64%

of Americans say the war with Iran is not necessary

90%

want government regulation of AI (significant or some)

78%

believe AI will lead to increased unemployment

63%

The Iran war divides sharply along partisan lines: 63% of Democrats strongly disagree that the war is necessary compared to just 10% of Republicans, a 53-point gap. Overall, 71% of Republicans support the war (33% strongly agree + 38% agree) while only 11% of Democrats do — the single largest partisan divide in the survey.

90%

Demand for AI regulation rivals pharmaceuticals and crosses party lines: 90% of both Democrats (65% significant + 27% some = 92%) and Republicans (51% significant + 39% some = 90%) favor at least some government regulation of artificial intelligence, even as 52% of all respondents say AI's harms outweigh its benefits. AI ranks second only to pharmaceuticals (91%) among industries the public wants regulated — well above social media (75%) and stock trading (84%).

Section 1

Iran War Threat and Interests

7 questions

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Total
agree

Total
disagree

Iran poses an imminent threat to Israel 66%

35%

Iran poses an imminent threat to U.S. interests and allies 58%

42%

Iran was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon prior to the recent military confrontation 53%

47%

Iran poses an imminent threat to the United States homeland 50%

51%

The war with Iran is in the best interests of Iranian citizens 39%

61%

The war with Iran is necessary 36%

64%

The war with Iran is in the best interests of American citizens 34%

65%

Item	Strongly agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly disagree
Iran poses an imminent threat to Israel	27%	39%	24%	11%
Iran poses an imminent threat to U.S. interests and allies	24%	34%	24%	18%
Iran was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon prior to the recent military confrontation	19%	34%	29%	18%
Iran poses an imminent threat to the United States homeland	19%	31%	25%	26%
The war with Iran is in the best interests of Iranian citizens	14%	25%	33%	28%
The war with Iran is necessary	15%	21%	26%	38%
The war with Iran is in the best interests of American citizens	14%	20%	25%	40%

1.1

Iran poses an imminent threat to the United States homeland

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

19%

31%

25%

26%

Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	7%	16%	23%	28%
Agree	29%	32%	33%	27%
Disagree	32%	26%	22%	20%
Strongly disagree	32%	26%	21%	24%

1.2

Iran poses an imminent threat to U.S. interests and allies

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

24%

34%

24%

18%

Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	12%	21%	27%	36%
Agree	34%	37%	38%	28%
Disagree	33%	24%	20%	19%
Strongly disagree	21%	19%	15%	17%

1.3

Iran poses an imminent threat to Israel

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

27%

39%

24%

11%

Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	11%	22%	32%	40%
Agree	37%	42%	40%	35%
Disagree	37%	22%	19%	18%
Strongly disagree	15%	13%	9%	7%

1.4

The war with Iran is necessary

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

15%

21%

26%

38%

Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	6%	11%	17%	26%
Agree	12%	22%	26%	24%
Disagree	31%	29%	24%	18%
Strongly disagree	51%	39%	33%	32%

1.5

Iran was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon prior to the recent military confrontation

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

19%

34%

29%

18%

Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	7%	14%	22%	32%
Agree	32%	37%	38%	28%
Disagree	39%	28%	23%	25%
Strongly disagree	21%	21%	16%	15%

1.6

The war with Iran is in the best interests of American citizens

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

14%

20%

25%

40%

Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	5%	10%	15%	26%
Agree	9%	20%	27%	25%
Disagree	32%	29%	24%	16%
Strongly disagree	54%	41%	34%	33%

1.7

The war with Iran is in the best interests of Iranian citizens

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

14%

25%

33%

28%

Strongly agreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	8%	11%	15%	22%
Agree	15%	24%	29%	31%
Disagree	40%	37%	32%	23%
Strongly disagree	37%	28%	23%	24%

Section 2

Importance Ratings

4 questions

How important or unimportant are each of the following issues to you? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Very important

Somewhat important

Somewhat unimportant

Very unimportant

Total
important

Total
unimportant

Low inflation 93%

Low gas prices 89%

10%

Preventing Iran from being able to build a nuclear weapon 73%

27%

Stock market performance 69%

31%

Item	Very important	Somewhat important	Somewhat unimportant	Very unimportant
Low inflation	65%	28%	3%	3%
Low gas prices	60%	29%	6%	4%
Preventing Iran from being able to build a nuclear weapon	47%	26%	16%	11%
Stock market performance	30%	39%	19%	12%

2.1

Preventing Iran from being able to build a nuclear weapon

How important or unimportant are each of the following issues to you? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

47%

26%

16%

11%

Very importantSomewhat importantSomewhat unimportantVery unimportant

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Very important	21%	45%	55%	64%
Somewhat important	32%	29%	25%	20%
Somewhat unimportant	31%	15%	11%	9%
Very unimportant	16%	12%	9%	8%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
Very important	51%	48%	40%	44%
Somewhat important	24%	26%	30%	29%
Somewhat unimportant	14%	15%	18%	18%
Very unimportant	11%	11%	12%	9%

2.2

Low gas prices

How important or unimportant are each of the following issues to you? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

60%

29%

Very importantSomewhat importantSomewhat unimportantVery unimportant

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Very important	51%	66%	64%	57%
Somewhat important	36%	24%	27%	34%
Somewhat unimportant	7%	7%	5%	6%
Very unimportant	7%	3%	4%	3%

2.3

Low inflation

How important or unimportant are each of the following issues to you? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

65%

28%

Very importantSomewhat importantSomewhat unimportantVery unimportant

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Very important	63%	65%	71%	63%
Somewhat important	30%	28%	23%	31%
Somewhat unimportant	4%	4%	3%	3%
Very unimportant	3%	3%	3%	3%

2.4

Stock market performance

How important or unimportant are each of the following issues to you? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

30%

39%

19%

12%

Very importantSomewhat importantSomewhat unimportantVery unimportant

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Very important	24%	26%	34%	35%
Somewhat important	36%	39%	40%	42%
Somewhat unimportant	23%	22%	16%	14%
Very unimportant	16%	13%	9%	9%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
Very important	23%	29%	32%	43%
Somewhat important	34%	41%	45%	38%
Somewhat unimportant	24%	20%	14%	14%
Very unimportant	19%	11%	9%	5%

Section 3

Iran War Actions Support/Opposition

3 questions

To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following actions in the war with Iran? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Strongly support

Support

Oppose

Strongly oppose

Total
support

Total
oppose

Conducting air raids 42%

58%

Sending weapons to Israel 41%

59%

Sending American troops into Iran 23%

77%

Item	Strongly support	Support	Oppose	Strongly oppose
Conducting air raids	19%	23%	28%	30%
Sending weapons to Israel	16%	25%	26%	33%
Sending American troops into Iran	5%	18%	31%	46%

3.1

Conducting air raids

To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following actions in the war with Iran? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

19%

23%

28%

30%

Strongly supportSupportOpposeStrongly oppose

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly support	9%	15%	22%	30%
Support	15%	23%	28%	26%
Oppose	34%	30%	24%	22%
Strongly oppose	42%	32%	26%	21%

3.2

Sending American troops into Iran

To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following actions in the war with Iran? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

18%

31%

46%

Strongly supportSupportOpposeStrongly oppose

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly support	6%	5%	6%	5%
Support	11%	18%	21%	20%
Oppose	29%	31%	30%	33%
Strongly oppose	54%	46%	43%	42%

3.3

Sending weapons to Israel

To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following actions in the war with Iran? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

16%

25%

26%

33%

Strongly supportSupportOpposeStrongly oppose

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly support	7%	12%	16%	29%
Support	14%	23%	31%	31%
Oppose	31%	28%	25%	20%
Strongly oppose	48%	37%	28%	20%

Section 4

Rating Benefits vs. Harms

6 questions

For each of the following technologies, do you believe that the benefits outweigh the harms? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Benefits significantly outweigh the harms

Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms

Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits

Harms significantly outweigh the benefits

Airplanes

Cars

The Internet

Artificial Intelligence

Social media

Nuclear weapons

Item	Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	Harms significantly outweigh the benefits
Airplanes	52%	37%	8%	3%
Cars	49%	39%	8%	3%
The Internet	34%	45%	16%	5%
Artificial Intelligence	10%	38%	28%	24%
Social media	9%	40%	35%	15%
Nuclear weapons	7%	16%	23%	54%

4.1

Artificial Intelligence

For each of the following technologies, do you believe that the benefits outweigh the harms? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Benefits significantly outweigh the harms

10%

Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms

38%

Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits

28%

Harms significantly outweigh the benefits

24%

Response	Percent
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	10%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	38%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	28%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	24%

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	8%	11%	11%	10%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	33%	37%	37%	44%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	30%	28%	30%	27%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	29%	24%	22%	20%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	11%	10%	10%	12%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	32%	38%	42%	45%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	29%	28%	28%	27%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	28%	24%	20%	17%

Response	Male	Female
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	12%	9%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	41%	35%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	27%	30%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	20%	26%

Response	HS or less	Some college/2-yr degree	4-yr/post-graduate degree
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	10%	10%	11%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	34%	37%	42%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	29%	28%	28%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	27%	26%	18%

Response	Democrat	Independent	Republican
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	10%	9%	12%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	35%	36%	42%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	29%	30%	25%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	26%	25%	20%

Response	White	Black	Hispanic	Other
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	9%	15%	11%	11%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	39%	34%	35%	38%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	30%	26%	27%	26%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	21%	25%	28%	26%

4.2

Social media

For each of the following technologies, do you believe that the benefits outweigh the harms? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Benefits significantly outweigh the harms

Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms

40%

Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits

35%

Harms significantly outweigh the benefits

15%

Response	Percent
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	9%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	40%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	35%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	15%

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	9%	10%	10%	8%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	45%	37%	38%	43%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	37%	34%	35%	35%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	9%	18%	18%	14%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	13%	8%	8%	7%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	40%	40%	42%	39%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	33%	36%	36%	38%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	14%	16%	14%	16%

Response	Male	Female
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	9%	10%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	38%	43%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	35%	35%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	18%	12%

Response	HS or less	Some college/2-yr degree	4-yr/post-graduate degree
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	13%	8%	7%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	40%	40%	41%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	33%	37%	36%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	14%	15%	15%

Response	Democrat	Independent	Republican
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	11%	8%	10%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	41%	40%	40%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	34%	37%	34%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	14%	15%	16%

Response	White	Black	Hispanic	Other
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	7%	16%	12%	9%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	41%	40%	39%	37%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	36%	32%	33%	38%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	15%	11%	15%	16%

4.3

The Internet

For each of the following technologies, do you believe that the benefits outweigh the harms? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Benefits significantly outweigh the harms

34%

Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms

45%

Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits

16%

Harms significantly outweigh the benefits

Response	Percent
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	34%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	45%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	16%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	5%

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	32%	33%	35%	38%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	45%	44%	45%	45%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	19%	17%	15%	12%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	4%	6%	6%	5%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	28%	34%	40%	44%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	42%	45%	47%	44%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	22%	16%	11%	10%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	8%	5%	2%	2%

Response	Male	Female
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	40%	29%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	41%	48%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	14%	18%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	5%	6%

Response	HS or less	Some college/2-yr degree	4-yr/post-graduate degree
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	28%	34%	41%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	42%	46%	46%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	22%	14%	10%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	8%	5%	2%

Response	Democrat	Independent	Republican
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	35%	33%	36%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	45%	46%	43%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	15%	16%	16%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	5%	5%	6%

Response	White	Black	Hispanic	Other
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	35%	31%	33%	37%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	47%	38%	45%	41%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	14%	24%	18%	14%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	5%	7%	4%	7%

4.4

Airplanes

For each of the following technologies, do you believe that the benefits outweigh the harms? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Benefits significantly outweigh the harms

52%

Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms

37%

Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits

Harms significantly outweigh the benefits

Response	Percent
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	52%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	37%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	8%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	3%

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	45%	44%	56%	65%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	40%	42%	33%	30%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	13%	10%	8%	3%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	2%	4%	3%	2%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	38%	52%	61%	68%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	39%	38%	34%	29%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	16%	7%	4%	2%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	6%	2%	1%	1%

Response	Male	Female
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	61%	44%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	30%	43%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	6%	10%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	3%	4%

Response	HS or less	Some college/2-yr degree	4-yr/post-graduate degree
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	39%	54%	63%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	42%	37%	31%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	14%	7%	4%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	5%	3%	2%

Response	Democrat	Independent	Republican
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	50%	47%	60%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	37%	40%	32%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	8%	10%	6%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	4%	3%	2%

Response	White	Black	Hispanic	Other
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	56%	34%	46%	56%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	36%	39%	40%	34%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	6%	18%	10%	8%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	2%	9%	4%	3%

4.5

Cars

For each of the following technologies, do you believe that the benefits outweigh the harms? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Benefits significantly outweigh the harms

49%

Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms

39%

Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits

Harms significantly outweigh the benefits

Response	Percent
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	49%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	39%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	8%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	3%

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	34%	46%	54%	61%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	47%	40%	37%	32%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	13%	10%	6%	4%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	6%	3%	3%	2%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	37%	52%	53%	61%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	43%	39%	39%	30%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	14%	6%	6%	6%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	6%	3%	1%	2%

Response	Male	Female
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	54%	46%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	36%	41%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	7%	9%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	3%	3%

Response	HS or less	Some college/2-yr degree	4-yr/post-graduate degree
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	44%	49%	55%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	40%	41%	36%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	11%	7%	7%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	5%	2%	2%

Response	Democrat	Independent	Republican
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	43%	46%	60%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	42%	41%	33%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	11%	10%	5%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	4%	3%	3%

Response	White	Black	Hispanic	Other
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	55%	37%	42%	45%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	36%	40%	44%	43%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	7%	15%	10%	8%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	2%	7%	4%	5%

4.6

Nuclear weapons

For each of the following technologies, do you believe that the benefits outweigh the harms? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Benefits significantly outweigh the harms

Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms

16%

Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits

23%

Harms significantly outweigh the benefits

54%

Response	Percent
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	7%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	16%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	23%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	54%

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	5%	6%	7%	9%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	18%	14%	15%	19%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	26%	24%	22%	20%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	51%	57%	56%	52%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	7%	7%	5%	7%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	13%	15%	21%	19%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	23%	21%	24%	28%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	57%	57%	50%	45%

Response	Male	Female
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	9%	5%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	18%	15%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	23%	23%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	50%	58%

Response	HS or less	Some college/2-yr degree	4-yr/post-graduate degree
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	7%	7%	6%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	15%	17%	17%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	20%	24%	25%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	57%	53%	52%

Response	Democrat	Independent	Republican
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	3%	6%	12%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	10%	16%	23%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	23%	23%	23%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	65%	55%	42%

Response	White	Black	Hispanic	Other
Benefits significantly outweigh the harms	7%	5%	8%	6%
Benefits somewhat outweigh the harms	17%	14%	17%	14%
Harms somewhat outweigh the benefits	23%	26%	22%	22%
Harms significantly outweigh the benefits	54%	54%	52%	59%

Section 5

Regulation Preferences

8 questions

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Significant regulation

Some regulation

Minimal regulation

Pharmaceuticals

Artificial intelligence

Airlines

Stock trading

Online sports betting

Casinos

Social media

Restaurants

Item	Significant regulation	Some regulation	Minimal regulation
Pharmaceuticals	60%	31%	9%
Artificial intelligence	56%	34%	10%
Airlines	45%	44%	11%
Stock trading	42%	42%	16%
Online sports betting	40%	40%	20%
Casinos	37%	44%	19%
Social media	27%	48%	25%
Restaurants	17%	44%	38%

5.1

Artificial intelligence

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

56%

34%

10%

Significant regulationSome regulationMinimal regulation

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Significant regulation	56%	53%	58%	60%
Some regulation	33%	33%	35%	34%
Minimal regulation	11%	14%	7%	6%

5.2

Social media

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

27%

48%

25%

Significant regulationSome regulationMinimal regulation

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Significant regulation	25%	23%	31%	30%
Some regulation	49%	45%	46%	52%
Minimal regulation	26%	31%	24%	18%

5.3

Casinos

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

37%

44%

19%

Significant regulationSome regulationMinimal regulation

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Significant regulation	38%	33%	38%	40%
Some regulation	43%	44%	44%	45%
Minimal regulation	19%	24%	17%	14%

5.4

Online sports betting

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

40%

20%

Significant regulationSome regulationMinimal regulation

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Significant regulation	42%	33%	43%	46%
Some regulation	39%	41%	39%	40%
Minimal regulation	19%	26%	18%	13%

5.5

Stock trading

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

42%

16%

Significant regulationSome regulationMinimal regulation

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Significant regulation	38%	40%	48%	44%
Some regulation	44%	43%	39%	41%
Minimal regulation	19%	17%	13%	14%

5.6

Airlines

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

45%

44%

11%

Significant regulationSome regulationMinimal regulation

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Significant regulation	46%	46%	48%	41%
Some regulation	44%	41%	43%	47%
Minimal regulation	10%	13%	9%	12%

5.7

Restaurants

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

17%

44%

38%

Significant regulationSome regulationMinimal regulation

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Significant regulation	22%	18%	15%	15%
Some regulation	44%	44%	47%	43%
Minimal regulation	34%	39%	38%	42%

5.8

Pharmaceuticals

To what extent should each of the following industries be regulated by the government? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

60%

31%

Significant regulationSome regulationMinimal regulation

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Significant regulation	57%	56%	63%	65%
Some regulation	32%	33%	31%	29%
Minimal regulation	11%	11%	6%	6%

Section 6

Responsibility for AI Safety

1 questions

6.1

Who should be primarily responsible for the safety of artificial intelligence?

Who should be primarily responsible for the safety of artificial intelligence? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

The companies developing the technology

43%

The government

28%

An independent/third-party body

26%

Other, please specify

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
The companies developing the technology	43%	47%	40%	40%
The government	33%	28%	26%	25%
An independent/third-party body	21%	21%	30%	31%
Other, please specify	3%	4%	4%	4%

Response	< $50,000	$50,000-$99,999	$100,000 - $149,999	> $150,000
The companies developing the technology	51%	42%	36%	36%
The government	27%	27%	28%	32%
An independent/third-party body	19%	28%	31%	27%
Other, please specify	3%	3%	4%	5%

Response	HS or less	Some college/2-yr degree	4-yr/post-graduate degree
The companies developing the technology	51%	42%	35%
The government	28%	27%	28%
An independent/third-party body	18%	27%	33%
Other, please specify	3%	4%	4%

Response	Democrat	Independent	Republican
The companies developing the technology	42%	42%	45%
The government	33%	25%	27%
An independent/third-party body	23%	29%	24%
Other, please specify	3%	5%	3%

Response	White	Black	Hispanic	Other
The companies developing the technology	41%	55%	43%	40%
The government	27%	26%	31%	29%
An independent/third-party body	28%	17%	24%	27%
Other, please specify	4%	2%	2%	3%

Section 7

AI and Society

4 questions

Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Total
agree

Total
disagree

AI will lead to an increase in unemployment 78%

22%

I understand how the latest AI tools work well enough to use them 60%

40%

AI companies should make their technology available to the military 59%

41%

AI will improve my daily life 51%

49%

Item	Strongly agree	Somewhat agree	Somewhat disagree	Strongly disagree
AI will lead to an increase in unemployment	35%	43%	17%	5%
I understand how the latest AI tools work well enough to use them	18%	42%	24%	16%
AI companies should make their technology available to the military	21%	38%	21%	20%
AI will improve my daily life	11%	40%	26%	23%

7.1

AI companies should make their technology available to the military

Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

21%

38%

21%

20%

Strongly agreeSomewhat agreeSomewhat disagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	13%	19%	23%	29%
Somewhat agree	33%	37%	41%	44%
Somewhat disagree	26%	21%	21%	16%
Strongly disagree	29%	23%	16%	11%

7.2

I understand how the latest AI tools work well enough to use them

Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

18%

42%

24%

16%

Strongly agreeSomewhat agreeSomewhat disagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	28%	22%	14%	8%
Somewhat agree	47%	46%	42%	34%
Somewhat disagree	18%	20%	27%	32%
Strongly disagree	7%	12%	18%	26%

7.3

AI will lead to an increase in unemployment

Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

35%

43%

17%

Strongly agreeSomewhat agreeSomewhat disagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	35%	36%	38%	32%
Somewhat agree	45%	41%	42%	44%
Somewhat disagree	17%	16%	15%	20%
Strongly disagree	4%	7%	5%	4%

7.4

AI will improve my daily life

Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? (N = 3,846)

N = 3,846

11%

40%

26%

23%

Strongly agreeSomewhat agreeSomewhat disagreeStrongly disagree

Response	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
Strongly agree	10%	14%	12%	7%
Somewhat agree	43%	39%	37%	40%
Somewhat disagree	23%	24%	29%	29%
Strongly disagree	24%	22%	22%	23%

Survey Details

📋 3,846 US adults 📅 March 17 – March 16, 2026

Verasight collected data for this survey from March 17 - March 19, 2026. The sample consists of 3,846 United States adults.

The sampling criteria for this survey were:

US resident
Adult (age 18+)

The selection criteria for the final sample were:

All respondents were recruited from the Verasight Community, which is composed of individuals recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting. All Verasight community members are verified via multi-step authentication, including providing an SMS response from a mobile phone registered with a major U.S. carrier (e.g., no VOIP or internet phones) as well as within-survey technology, including verifying the absence of non-human responses with technologies such as Google reCAPTCHA v3. Those who exhibit low-quality response behaviors over time, such as straight-lining or speeding, are also removed and prohibited from further participation in the community. Verasight Community members receive points for taking surveys that can be redeemed for Venmo or PayPal payments, gift cards, or charitable donations. Respondents are never routed from one survey to another and receive compensation for every invited survey, so there is never an incentive to respond strategically to survey qualification screener questions.

To further ensure data quality, the Verasight data team implements a number of post-data collection quality assurance procedures, including confirming that all responses correspond with U.S. IP addresses, confirming no duplicate respondents, verifying the absence of non-human responses, and removing any respondents who failed in-survey attention, speeding, and/or straight-lining checks. Respondents who completed the survey in less than 30% of the median completion time were also removed.

Unmeasured error in this or any other survey may exist. Verasight is a member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research Transparency Initiative.