Voters Hate AI More Than ICE, NBC Poll Finds
Mar 9th 2026
An NBC poll finds nearly half of registered voters hold negative views of artificial intelligence, a level of dislike higher than for ICE and President Trump. The survey also shows rising AI use amid broad worries about jobs, safety, surveillance and data center impacts.
- 46% of registered voters say they have negative feelings about AI, 26% are positive and 27% are neutral.
- Only Iran and the Democratic Party were viewed more negatively than AI, while ICE and President Trump were seen more favorably, with Trump at a net approval of minus 19.
- Fifty seven percent of respondents said AI risks outweigh the benefits.
- Self reported use of AI rose from 48% in December 2025 to 56% in March.
- Experts and voters cite job displacement, mental health harms, surveillance and wartime uses as major AI concerns.
- Local resistance has driven data center project cancellations up and some jurisdictions are considering moratoriums, while big tech is spending to influence elections and regulation remains limited.