Gallup-SCSP Report: Americans United on AI Education and Safety, Split on K-12 Integration

A new report by Gallup and the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative aimed at strengthening America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence, finds that Americans across the political spectrum largely agree on how the country should approach AI, according to (NewsUSA). The report, titled "Looking to the Future: American Priorities for AI in 2026," is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 3,000 U.S. adults conducted online in June 2026 using Gallup's U.S. panel. The findings carry significant implications for Texas, where businesses are increasingly integrating AI and policymakers are weighing workforce and education strategies.

"The key finding in this year's data is that Republicans, Democrats, and independents want the same things: teach STEM, train workers on the job, put safety and security ahead of speed, and let independent experts test these systems before the public depends on them," said Ylli Bajraktari, president of SCSP. "America's edge in this competition will not come from adoption alone; it will come from a public that has reason to trust what it is adopting," he said. That trust, the data suggest, is built on education and oversight.

Concerns about AI's impact on the job market persist, with 70% of respondents stating that AI will destroy more jobs than it creates over the next decade. Yet respondents consistently supported AI education: 72% support promoting STEM education to train workers to use AI in future jobs, and 66% support creating on-the-job training programs that teach AI skills. However, respondents were split on adding AI skills to core K-12 classes such as reading or math, with 45% in support and 44% opposed.

On security, 79% say the government should maintain safety and data-security rules even if such rules slow AI development, compared to 7% who would prioritize speed. Approximately 60% agreed that the U.S. government should create AI regulations, and 75% favored testing and evaluation of new AI systems by independent experts before widespread dissemination. These attitudes were similar across party lines, indicating a broad consensus that safety should not be sacrificed for speed.

Half of respondents (51%) say they use AI at least sometimes at work, school, or in their personal lives, up from 39% in 2025. Two in three (68%) describe themselves as knowledgeable about AI, up from 60% last year. The report also shows increased trust among regular AI users since last year, but increased skepticism among non-users. "The public is becoming more experienced with AI while simultaneously becoming more cautious about its economic implications," said Gallup Principal Justin Lall. "That combination of firsthand use and lingering concern makes workforce preparation more important than ever."

The data suggest room for compromise where attitudes diverge among parties. Republican respondents were more likely to favor mandatory age requirements, increasing AI in manufacturing, increasing energy production for AI systems, and reducing AI regulation. Democrat respondents were more likely to favor increasing government funding for AI research at colleges and universities. However, a majority across parties showed similar support for allowing companies and universities to use government resources for AI research.

For Texas, the findings underscore the importance of aligning education and workforce development with AI skills. The report, available at Looking to the Future: American Priorities for AI in 2026, provides a roadmap for policymakers and business leaders seeking to foster AI adoption while addressing public concerns. As Texas continues to attract major AI investments, the call for STEM education, on-the-job training, and robust safety standards could shape the state's economic competitiveness in the years ahead. The full report can also be accessed via scsp.ai.