A new Pew Research Center survey has found increasing public concern over the societal risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI)—and a striking global divide in trust regarding who should regulate it. According to The National, respondents across 25 countries expressed greater confidence in the European Union (EU) than in the United States or China to manage AI’s ethical and regulatory challenges responsibly.
Europe Seen as a Model for Responsible AI Governance
The findings highlight the EU’s reputation as a global leader in technology governance, thanks to its strong data privacy standards and consumer protection frameworks. The bloc’s AI Act—the first comprehensive legislation of its kind—has further strengthened public perception of Europe as a champion of transparent, accountable, and safe AI systems.
Citizens Favor National Oversight Despite Global Stakes
Interestingly, the survey revealed that most people still place more trust in their own national governments than in foreign powers or international institutions. This suggests that while global cooperation on AI is widely recognized as important, citizens prefer oversight that aligns with their own cultural and political contexts.
Public Fears Reflect Growing AI Anxiety
Analysts note that the results point to a rising wave of AI anxiety, driven by fears of job displacement, misinformation, surveillance, and loss of human control over intelligent systems. As AI technologies rapidly advance, the public is calling for stronger guardrails to ensure ethical use and accountability.
The Global Debate Over Who Sets the Rules
With governments around the world racing to implement AI policies, the question of who should set and enforce the rules has become central to the future of global AI governance. The Pew findings suggest that while citizens support innovation, they also demand trustworthy regulation—a balance that will define the next phase of the AI revolution.
