A new report by Gallup and the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative aimed at strengthening America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence, reveals that Americans across the political spectrum largely agree on how the country should approach AI. The report, titled "Looking to the Future: American Priorities for AI in 2026," is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 3,000 U.S. adults conducted online in June 2026 using Gallup's U.S. panel.
The findings show that majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents endorse similar responses on the need for education and regulation regarding AI use. "The key finding in this year's data is that Republicans, Democrats, and independents want the same things: teach STEM, train workers on the job, put safety and security ahead of speed, and let independent experts test these systems before the public depends on them," said Ylli Bajraktari, president of SCSP. "America's edge in this competition will not come from adoption alone; it will come from a public that has reason to trust what it is adopting."
Concerns about AI's impact on the job market persist, with 70% of respondents stating that AI will destroy more jobs than it creates over the next decade. Despite these concerns, there is strong support for AI education: 72% support promoting STEM education to train workers to use AI in future jobs, and 66% support creating on-the-job training programs that teach AI skills. Support for these measures is similar across party lines. However, respondents are split on adding AI skills to core K-12 classes such as reading or math, with 45% in support and 44% opposed.
On security and regulation, 79% of respondents say the government should maintain safety and data-security rules even if such rules slow AI development, compared to just 7% who would prioritize speed. Additionally, 60% agree that the U.S. government should create AI regulations, and 75% favor testing and evaluation of new AI systems by independent experts before widespread dissemination.
The report also highlights changing patterns of AI use and trust. Half of respondents (51%) say they use AI at least sometimes at work, school, or in their personal lives, up from 39% in 2025. Two in three (68%) describe themselves as knowledgeable about AI, up from 60% last year. Trust among regular AI users has increased since last year, but skepticism among non-users has also grown. "The public is becoming more experienced with AI while simultaneously becoming more cautious about its economic implications," said Gallup Principal Justin Lall. "That combination of firsthand use and lingering concern makes workforce preparation more important than ever."
The data suggest room for compromise where attitudes diverge among parties. Republicans were more likely to favor mandatory age requirements, increasing AI in manufacturing, increasing energy production for AI systems, and reducing AI regulation. Democrats were more likely to favor increasing government funding for AI research at colleges and universities. However, a majority across parties showed similar support for allowing companies and universities to use government resources for AI research.
These findings matter because they indicate a rare bipartisan consensus on key AI policies, which could pave the way for legislative action on education, workforce training, and safety regulations. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life and the economy, addressing public concerns about job displacement and ensuring responsible development will be critical. The full report is available at scsp.ai, and additional insights can be found in the report Looking to the Future: American Priorities for AI in 2026.
