# About half of Americans see AI and nuclear weapons as equally risky

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/ai/about-half-of-americans-see-ai-and-nuclear-weapons-as-equally-risky/

> Indexed question in AI & Tech.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,500 U.S. adults from September 16 to 21, 2026. 49.9% see AI and nuclear weapons as posing about the same long-term risk to humanity.

AI is the greater risk for 23.5%, while nuclear weapons are for 22.9%. Another 3.7% say neither poses a serious risk. These are perceptions of long-term risk.

## Topline

Thinking about the long term, which do you think poses a greater risk to humanity, AI or nuclear weapons?

About half of Americans see AI and nuclear weapons as equally risky.

- Both about equally: 49.9%
- AI: 23.5%
- Nuclear weapons: 22.9%
- Neither poses a serious risk: 3.7%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-09-16 → 2026-09-21
- Base (unweighted): 1,500
- Margin of error: +/- 2.6%
- Module: Current Events Survey #2026-243
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-11](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-11)

## Citation

September Verasight National Survey: Current Events and Prediction Markets, fielded September 16-21, 2026, N=1,500 US adults age 18+, +/- 2.6%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-11](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-11)