WASHINGTON, D.C. — Artificial intelligence has rapidly entered the public discussion in recent years and is already playing a role in U.S. national security, intelligence and defense. New research conducted by Gallup in partnership with the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) outlines five key insights on how Americans view AI’s role in national security and military affairs.
1. Most Americans Expect AI Attacks From Foreign Governments
As AI continues to develop, many questions remain over its future capabilities. Even so, 87% of Americans say it is at least somewhat likely that foreign governments will use AI to attack the U.S. within the next two decades, including 43% who say this is very likely.
2. Americans Split Over Whether AI Will Be Good or Bad for National Security
Americans are split on whether advancing AI technology will make national security risks better (37%) or worse (41%). Fifteen percent think AI will have a neutral impact on U.S. national security, while 8% don’t know. Americans are also largely divided on AI’s potential impact on the environment.
Public opinion is more positive than negative toward AI’s impact on scientific research and the national economy, with more Americans saying the technology will make the U.S. better than worse in both areas. This includes a majority of 61% who say AI will make U.S. scientific research better.
3. Younger Adults, Women, Democrats, Non-Users Most Pessimistic About AI’s Impact on National Security
Views about what AI will mean for U.S. national security vary significantly by demographics. Adults younger than 40, women, Democrats and non-users are more likely to say AI will make national security risks worse, while those aged 65 and older, men, Republicans, and AI users are more optimistic. The divide is particularly sharp between 18- to 29-year-olds and those aged 65 and older.
4. Support for AI-Enabled Weapons Is Conditional
Americans hold divided views on the U.S. developing AI-enabled autonomous weapons for use in military conflicts with other countries. The survey finds that 48% of Americans either somewhat or strongly oppose their development, while 39% support it. However, public opinion shifts when Americans are asked to consider other nations' developing these weapons first. In that scenario, 53% support the U.S. developing them, while 32% are opposed.
Similar to views about AI making national security risks better or worse, older adults, men and Republicans are more likely than younger adults, women and Democrats to support the use of AI-enabled weapons.
5. Despite Uncertainty, Americans See Some Military Benefits of AI
The survey also asked Americans whether they think AI will improve or reduce the quality of five different areas of military operations. There is significant uncertainty over each area, with between 20% and 32% saying they do not know.
Yet, more people think AI will mostly improve rather than mostly reduce the ability to detect military threats, the quality of intelligence analyses, and the safe and efficient use of military weapons. This suggests some degree of openness to AI-enhanced military technology. However, Americans are more split on whether AI will improve or reduce the quality of U.S. military strategy and the selection of military personnel.
Bottom Line
Americans view foreign AI threats as a real possibility, with four in 10 saying AI-enabled attacks from foreign governments are very likely to occur within the next two decades and another 44% saying these are somewhat likely to occur. This belief is broadly shared across different demographic groups, unlike opinions on whether AI will make U.S. national security risks better or worse, with men, Republicans and older adults more likely to predict improvement.
Meanwhile, support for the U.S. military developing AI-enabled weapons is conditional on other nations’ developing them first. Still, many Americans see promise in AI’s potential to improve military threat detection, intelligence analyses and operational safety.
Read the full Reward, Risk, and Regulation: American Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence report.
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