A new report from Gallup and the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) shows that Americans across the political spectrum largely agree on how the country should approach artificial intelligence. 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, released by (NewsUSA), indicate that majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents endorse similar priorities for AI: education, workforce training, and regulation that prioritizes safety over speed.
SCSP President Ylli Bajraktari highlighted the significance of this cross-party agreement. "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," he said. "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 remain high, with 70% of respondents stating that AI will destroy more jobs than it creates over the next decade. In response, there is strong support for education and training: 72% support promoting STEM education to equip workers with AI skills, and 66% support creating on-the-job training programs. However, opinions are split on integrating AI skills into core K-12 classes like 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. Sixty percent agreed that the U.S. government should create AI regulations, and 75% favored testing and evaluation of new AI systems by independent experts before widespread dissemination. These views are consistent across party lines, suggesting a potential path for policymakers to act on AI oversight without severe partisan friction.
The report also reveals changing patterns of AI use and knowledge. 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. However, trust among regular AI users has increased, while skepticism among non-users has 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 also point to areas of partisan divergence. 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. Yet a majority across parties support allowing companies and universities to use government resources for AI research, indicating room for compromise.
For businesses, the findings suggest that investing in employee AI training and adhering to safety standards could align with public expectations and build trust. For policymakers, the bipartisan support for education and regulation offers a foundation for legislative action. For the broader public, the report underscores the importance of informed engagement with AI as it becomes more integrated into daily life. The full report is available at scsp.ai, and more detailed findings can be found in Looking to the Future: American Priorities for AI in 2026.
