SCHAUMBURG, IL, Nov. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A shocking new poll by The Heartland Institute’s Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issues Center and Rasmussen Reports reveals that many young voters are ready to hand unprecedented authority to artificial intelligence. The survey found that large segments of the youngest generation of voters favor proposals that would transfer constitutional, political, and even military control to advanced AI systems.

The survey included 1,496 likely voters aged 18-39. It was completed on November 2, 2025.

See the poll questions and the crosstabs here.

AI Policy Making: Forty one percent of young voters support a theoretical proposal to give advanced artificial intelligence systems the authority to control the majority of public policy decisions. More than half (55%) of self-identified conservatives voiced support for this proposal. Support was also high (54%) amongst those between the ages of 25-29.

AI Determining Rights: Thirty six percent of young voters support a theoretical proposal that would grant AI the power to determine the “rights that belong to individuals and families, including rights related to speech, religious practices, government authority, and property.” Half (50%) of self-identified conservatives voiced support for this proposal.

AI Controlling Militaries: More than a third (35%) of young voters said they would support a theoretical proposal that would “give an advanced AI system the authority to control all of the world’s largest militaries, with the express purpose of reducing the number of people who die from war.” The youngest group of voters polled (18-24) voiced support at a rate of 40%.

The Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issues Center serves as the “tip of the spear” in identifying and confronting the underreported challenges that threaten American sovereignty, individual liberty, and free-market capitalism. The EIC brings these emerging threats to the forefront of public and political awareness, empowering citizens and policymakers alike to act in defense of freedom and a thriving free-market society.

The poll has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

See the full results of the poll below, including some of the key data from the crosstabs.

The following quote, provided by a Heartland Institute expert, can be used for attribution:

“These results are stunning. What we are seeing is the early emergence of an AI strong man mentality among younger Americans. Younger generations are increasingly disillusioned with the failures of traditional institutions, so much so, that they are willing to hand control to artificial intelligence.

“For many, the thought process is: These institutions are already so broken, corrupt, and ineffective, how could it get any worse if we were to put AI in charge? These poll results illustrate an incredibly dangerous trajectory for any society that values personal autonomy and liberty.”

Donald Kendal
Director
Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issues Center
The Heartland Institute
dkendal@heartland.org

If you’d like to interview a Heartland Institute expert on this topic or other topics, please contact Donald Kendal, the director of the Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issues Center and one of the primary authors of the Heartland/Rasmussen survey, at dkendal@heartland.org, or contact Vice President and Director of Communications Jim Lakely at jlakely@heartland.org. You can also call/text Jim at 312-731-9364.

Survey of 1,496 18-39 US Likely Voters
Conducted October 31 – November 2, 2025, by Rasmussen Reports and
the Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issues Center

1. Significant advancements have been made in the fields of artificial intelligence and data collection, causing some to suggest that AI take a more influential role in society. Many Americans are unhappy with the effectiveness of federal and state government officials, agencies, and politicians. If AI continues to improve, would you support a proposal to take power away from most human lawmakers and instead give an advanced AI system the authority to control the majority of public policy decisions?

20% Strongly support
21% Somewhat support
15% Somewhat oppose
34% Strongly oppose
10% Not sure

1. Many Americans are dissatisfied with the U.S. Constitution and the Supreme Court. If AI continues to improve, would you support a proposal to revise the Constitution so that an advanced AI system has the authority to determine the rights that belong to individuals and families, including rights related to speech, religious practices, government authority, and property?

15% Strongly support
21% Somewhat support
18% Somewhat oppose
38% Strongly oppose
  9% Not sure

1. Military conflicts continue to rage around the world, including in Ukraine. If AI continues to improve, would you support a proposal to give an advanced AI system the authority to control all of the world's largest militaries, with the express purpose of reducing the number of people who die from war?

15% Strongly support
20% Somewhat support
16% Somewhat oppose
40% Strongly oppose
  9% Not sure

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence

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Attachment

• Heartland Institute/Rasmussen Reports poll on young voters views on AI and public policy

Jim Lakely
The Heartland Institute
312-731-9364
jlakely@heartland.org