AI Safety Tops American Concerns over Economic Competition
Just Capital finds Americans prioritize AI safety and security over job competition. Trust depends on clear corporate actions.
Key points
- Just Capital finds AI safety is the top concern for Americans, investors, and leaders.
- The survey polled 1,000 adults, 128 investors, and 104 executives in July 2026.
- A separate survey of 2,000 adults tracked AI safety perceptions in September 2026.
American adults, investors, and corporate leaders now rank AI safety as their top concern. This priority outweighs worries about economic competition. Just Capital released this finding in its fourth quarterly survey.
The study tracks how these groups view AI development. It shows a consistent focus on security and safety. This trend persists despite changing views on job losses and environmental impact.
Public trust requires clear corporate action
Just Capital CEO Martin Whittaker notes the public sees both benefits and anxieties. He argues that frontier labs and government share responsibility for protection. Corporate leaders must also explain how AI adds value.
Building trust requires concrete actions and transparency. Companies must address model safety and data protection. Human oversight remains a critical area for public understanding.
Survey covers distinct groups and timelines
Data collection happened in two distinct phases. The main survey ran from July 20 to July 27, 2026. It included 1,000 US adults, 128 institutional investors, and 104 corporate executives.
A separate tracking survey on AI safety and China ran later. It collected responses from 2,000 U.S. adults on September 14 and 15, 2026. This helps measure shifting perceptions over time.
Disclosure analysis targets large US companies
Just Capital also analyzed disclosure data from August 2026. This covered 1,002 of the largest US-based companies. The review focused on nine specific AI-related areas.
These areas include board oversight, C-suite leadership, and data protection. The selection was based on public priorities. This ensures the analysis reflects real-world concerns.
