Press Release

New YouGov National Poll Shows 80% Support for SB 1047 and AI Safety

09. 18. 2024

ESPA, a co-sponsor of the landmark AI legislation, commissioned the poll, which shows broad national bipartisan support for AI safety

Sacramento, CA – A new national poll from YouGov commissioned by Economic Security Project  Action shows that an overwhelming 80% of registered voters across the country want to see Governor Gavin Newsom sign SB 1047, the AI safety legislation sitting on his desk. These national results echo polling conducted earlier this year by David Binder Research, which demonstrated similar levels of support in the state with 77% of California voters favoring the bill, and over two-thirds identifying their distrust of tech companies to adequately focus on AI safety without government partnership. These results are also consistent with recent Latino Community Foundation polling, which demonstrated the state’s Latino voters’ broader concern around AI development and 75% support specifically for SB 1047 (Question 34). 

“This polling shows what many of us have been saying for months: the vast majority of the public doesn’t trust Big Tech to regulate themselves and wants to see commonsense guardrails around new AI development before someone gets hurt,” said Teri Olle, Director of Economic Security California Action. “Even though a small handful of wealthy tech companies who dominate the sector mounted a multi-million dollar campaign to spread fear and false information, the majority of people still agree: regulating new AI so that it’s safe for consumers and puts the public interest ahead of corporate greed is the right thing to do.” 

The poll was in the field from September 11–13 and the sample size was 1,136 voters.  

SB 1047 was authored and introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener. It has already been approved by both the California Assembly and Senate and is awaiting action from Gov. Newsom. The bill has been endorsed by more than 100 organizations and companies including Notion, SAG-AFTRA, parents and youth groups, academics, tech industry whistleblowers, entrepreneurs, and a growing list of other public figures.