Iowa and Ohio voters show 90%+ support for new AI rules in SEMAFOR poll
Political scientists say candidates in both parties are shifting from tech optimism to cost-focused criticism as the midterm election approaches.
By Abena Mensah ·
A recent poll conducted by SEMAFOR found that the vast majority of voters in Iowa and Ohio want greater regulation of artificial intelligence. The results were published online this week, capturing the views of residents in two pivotal states during the final stretch of the midterm campaign.
Chris Borick, a political science professor at Lehigh University, said AI has become a major issue in several races over the last few months. He noted that the political rhetoric surrounding the technology has changed sharply compared to previous cycles. "We like tech traditionally as part of our political economy," Borick said. "That’s really changed in the last year, where you see a much more neutral and sometimes negative political position on AI."
Borick explained that the political calculus surrounding AI has shifted from positive to negative in both red and blue states. He attributed this change to public concerns about the technology's effect on society, the economy, and local communities. "And that’s really popped in this election cycle," he said.
Shobita Parthasarathy, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan, observed distinct differences in how the two parties discuss the issue. She said Republican candidates have maintained a close position with AI companies over the last year. Consequently, she noted that Republicans are trying to limit the discussion to cost issues and are less likely to talk about a moratorium.
"I do think that the Republicans have been over the last year plus, have been in a much more close position with the AI companies," Parthasarathy said. "And so what you find, I think in general, is that they are trying to talk more about the cost issue. They generally are not talking about the broader issues."
Borick pointed out that at the local level, conservatives and liberals often align in opposition to data centers or express shared concerns about AI. He said this cross-ideological agreement creates the potential for political realignments that the country may be experiencing.
Candidates in both parties are now tapping into these concerns as they make their final pitches to voters. The SEMAFOR poll data indicates that a large share of the electorate in the sampled states prioritizes regulatory action over unregulated growth.
Source: WDRB
