/Tech3h ago

Survey Finds AI Low Priority for Voters Despite Job Fears

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Lakshya Jain@lxeagle17

Our newest survey is out, and it's on AI.

Broadly, it's everywhere and nowhere, all at once. Only 6% of people rate it a top-2 issue. But they also have deep-seated reservations, fear mass unemployment, and want bold action if that comes to pass. 🧵

https://www.theargumentmag.com/p/the-biggest-issue-in-american-politics

9:36 AM · Jun 10, 2026 · 19.8K Views
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Lakshya Jain@lxeagle17

Even a "universal basic income" policy is above water now — which is pretty different from how this polled a few years ago.

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Lakshya Jain@lxeagle17

Selling AI positivism — whatever that may mean in your book — is, flatly, not something anyone is buying right now. It doesn't jive with the deep concerns people have about it, and refusing to listen to their concerns probably won't end well (as past history has shown)

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Lakshya Jain@lxeagle17

70% of people think AI could cause large-scale job losses. And 27% of people even think it could cause humanity's extinction.

That sort of tension means AI's status as a bottom-two issue *probably won't last*.

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Lakshya Jain@lxeagle17

There's a latent desire for bold action to be taken here. For instance, a jobs guarantee is among the most popular policies I've ever polled.

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Lakshya Jain@lxeagle17

Nobody knows who to trust on AI right now. It's an evenly split issue with a lot of "don't know" responses. So there's a huge political opportunity for people here.

3hViews 1.9KLikes 25Bookmarks 1
Carroll Doherty@CarrollDoherty

@lxeagle17 Americans least likely to support universal basic income are those who currently enjoy it - those 65 and older.

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Lakshya Jain@lxeagle17

I'll leave you to check the article linked in the original post for more. The full piece, the rest of the graphics, and the crosstabs are available for paying subscribers.

http://theargumentmag.com/subscribe

3hViews 2.9KLikes 6
Mini Modu@MinModulation

@dock263ds @lxeagle17 that'll never happen since AI costs too much money to manufacture

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Dave Nick@dock263ds

@lxeagle17 Wonder if AI were in the hands of non-tech billionaires and strong government guardrails were in place, ppl would be more favorable to AI?

3hViews 35
Saulcialist 🌘@Saulcialist

@lxeagle17 2028 primary candidates should jump on it. Need a young candidate who understands it more than ever. Also can't be someone who views it as an exclusively bad or good thing

3hViews 19
Benjamin Ou@AlephNuul

@lxeagle17 tbh those very/somewhat likely numbers are a lot bigger than i expected

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