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- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Poll Reveals Deep Concerns About Artificial Intelligence
A recent Star Tribune/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll has found that more than two-thirds of Minnesota voters are worried that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) could eventually lead to the destruction of humanity. This fear places AI risks alongside traditional anxieties about jobs, politics, and the uncertain future of American society.
Wide Support for AI Regulation
The poll, conducted from October 5 to 7, 2026, surveyed 800 likely voters and revealed that 68% are very or somewhat concerned about the potential for AI to bring about the end of humanity. Additionally, 71% of respondents said they favor some form of government regulation for the industry, marking a rare point of agreement across divergent political views.
Concerns Cutting Across Political Lines
The poll results show that concerns about the impact and risks of artificial intelligence are present across the political spectrum, though the degree of anxiety varies. Among Democrats and those leaning Democratic, 79% expressed concern that AI could destroy humanity, while 75% of independents and 50% of Republicans or Republican-leaning voters shared this view. Support for government oversight is also strong, with 83% of Democrats, 75% of independents, and 53% of Republicans in favor.
Citizens Highlight AI’s Immediate and Future Threats
For some voters, the dangers of AI technology are already apparent. Tanni Weller of White Bear Township worries about AI-generated political ads capable of making people appear to say things they never said, expressing concern that this could erode trust and lead to significant job losses. "You can’t even tell they’re faking people’s faces," Weller said, questioning what would happen to the economy and people's lives if companies replace workers with AI.
Chad Younkin, a Republican from Oak Grove, is less concerned with catastrophic scenarios and more focused on near-term issues like the demands of data centers, potential job losses, and international competition. Younkin remains cautious about regulation, skeptical that oversight would prevent a small number of large companies from dominating the field. "I honestly don’t have a full grasp on it," he admitted, "and I don’t think many people do."
Uncertainty Over Controlling AI’s Future
Other respondents, like David Jones from Belle Plaine, see both promise and peril in AI's evolution. While Jones believes artificial intelligence could provide significant benefits, he is also deeply concerned about losing human control as machines become capable of self-learning. He supports AI regulation but remains unsure how effective it could be: “Once it’s out of the barn, it’s—how do you control it?” Jones explained, reflecting a common fear that the technology may advance beyond humanity’s ability to guide or restrict it.
Younger Voters Show Strong Regulatory Support
Younger Minnesotans are particularly in favor of government intervention, with 80% supporting regulation compared to 67% of senior respondents. This generational divide highlights potential differences in perspectives on technology’s societal impact and the urgency of addressing AI governance.
Polling Methodology
The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy Inc., involving 800 likely voters and carrying a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Additional details about the methodology, sample demographics, and poll regions are available at the Star Tribune's methodology page.
Source: startribune.com.
