AI apocalypse is here, as polling shows Americans ranging from ambivalence to horror toward artificial intelligence. Some argue poor industry PR fuels opposition, noting tech titans boast apocalyptic powers to raise capital, while Chinese public opinion is more favorable. Taste for liberty ties to culture and history; United States long experience of freedom makes its mistrust of AI a testament to spirit of liberty.

Critics cite warnings from industry leaders about a “permanent underclass” once AI surpasses human cognition, misaligned AI causing human extinction. Andrew Carnegie never promised apocalypse, yet corporations remain committed to developing AGI that outperforms humans at most economically valuable work. AI outperforms humans in many areas and floods the digital landscape with generated text and music.

Regulatory proposals abound: nationalization backed by Steve Bannon and Bernie Sanders; Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s plan to protect children, creators, conservatives, and communities; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s call for a moratorium on data‑center construction; Trump administration’s move to halt models threatening national security; and calls for an international treaty banning superintelligence.

Even these measures overlook how anthropomorphic AI unsettles psychology and social fabric, eroding human distinctiveness and moral standards. While conservatives remain muted, the cult of new celebrates novelty while denying new, leaving no organized movement to oppose AI.