Sam Altman says AI isn't very popular in the US right now, with people blaming it for electricity price hikes and layoffs

The landscape of artificial intelligence in the United States is currently marked by skepticism, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Speaking at the BlackRock US Infrastructure Summit in Washington, D.C., Altman expressed concerns about AI's popularity, stating, "AI is not very popular in the US right now." He pointed out that the technology is often unfairly blamed for various societal issues, including rising electricity prices and job layoffs. Altman remarked, "Data centers are getting blamed for electricity price hikes. Almost every company that does layoffs is blaming AI, whether or not it really is about AI." He emphasized that there is an ongoing debate regarding the balance of power between governments and corporations in this context. Recent surveys reflect Altman’s worries, with a poll from NBC News indicating that 57% of voters believe the risks associated with AI outweigh its benefits. Notably, public opinion on AI is less favorable than that towards several prominent figures and organizations, including former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Furthermore, a Pew Research Center study revealed that 50% of U.S. adults feel "more concerned than excited" about the increased integration of AI, marking a significant rise in apprehension since 2021. The tensions surrounding AI have been heightened by OpenAI’s expedited agreement with the Pentagon, particularly after the Defense Department's actions against its rival, Anthropic. Altman acknowledged this tension, underscoring the necessity for AI companies to ensure the responsible use of their technologies while also emphasizing the essential role of government support. Altman also highlighted the political challenges as a significant vulnerability for the U.S. in the global AI race. While he asserted that the U.S. currently leads over China in this arena, he cautioned that maintaining this edge is not guaranteed. He argued that America must rapidly address issues related to the global supply chain and accelerate the adoption of AI across various sectors. "If we don't move as quickly as other countries on economic adoption of this, then I think we will lose the advantage that we have from being the economic powerhouse that we are," Altman stated. He believes that swift action in AI adoption could present a rare opportunity for transformative economic growth, declaring, "This is a once in many generation opportunity to really improve the economy and rewrite some of the rules of society that aren't working in light of this new incredible wealth fountain we have."