A rare policy consensus emerges as AI’s impact moves beyond innovation into governance and societal risk
Updated
May 5, 2026 5:42 PM
A mechanical hand reaching for the hand of flesh. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
A new survey from Povaddo, a policy research firm, suggests that concern about artificial intelligence is no longer limited to industry or academia. It is now firmly present within the policy community.
The survey draws on responses from 301 public policy professionals across the United States and Europe, including lawmakers, staffers and analysts involved in shaping and evaluating public policy. A majority of respondents—61%—say governments are falling short in addressing the negative impacts of AI.
There is also broad agreement that regulation needs to increase. In the United States, 92% of respondents support stronger AI regulation, compared to 70% in Europe. At a time when consensus is often difficult, the findings point to a shared view across policy circles that current frameworks are not keeping pace with technological development.
Differences emerge when looking at how AI is affecting national contexts. In the U.S., 57% of policy experts believe AI is already harming the labor market. In Europe, 34% say the same. U.S. respondents are also more likely to see AI as a greater threat to jobs than immigration, with 63% holding that view compared to 47% in Europe.
On misinformation, responses are closely aligned. A large majority of policy experts in both regions expect an AI-driven misinformation crisis within the next one to two years—87% in the U.S. and 82% in Europe. Many also believe that AI-generated or AI-amplified misinformation could affect elections and public health information.
Some respondents frame the risks in more fundamental terms. In the United States, 41% of policy experts say AI poses an existential threat to humanity. In Europe, 29% share that view. U.S. respondents are also more likely to believe that advances in AI could harm global security and stability.
The findings come as policymakers begin to respond more actively. In the U.S., Senators Josh Hawley, Richard Blumenthal and Mark Warner have introduced bipartisan legislation focused on AI accountability, including measures aimed at protecting workers and children.
In Europe, the introduction of the EU AI Act marks a more advanced regulatory approach. The framework sets out rules based on levels of risk and is widely seen as the first comprehensive attempt to govern AI at scale.
William Stewart, President and Founder of Povaddo, said: "What makes these findings so significant is who is saying it. These are the practitioners who work inside the policy process every day, spanning every corner of the policy world from defense to healthcare to finance, not activists or everyday citizens. These findings foreshadow real action. The current path of governments accelerating AI deployment while falling short on governance is not sustainable, and the people who know that best are the ones in this survey. You cannot have nine-in-ten policy insiders demanding more regulation and four-in-ten calling AI an existential threat without that eventually moving the needle in Washington and Brussels in terms of legislative or regulatory action".
Taken together, the survey reflects a shift in how AI is being discussed within policymaking circles. Concern is no longer limited to future risks. It is increasingly tied to current gaps in governance and the pace of deployment.
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A closer look at how startups are turning local AI into global opportunity
Updated
March 24, 2026 6:25 PM
NVIDIA GTC 2026. PHOTO: NVIDIA
At NVIDIA GTC 2026 in Palo Alto, a group of 16 Taiwanese startups used the global AI stage to do more than showcase products—they tested how far their technologies could travel beyond domestic markets. The delegation, led by Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley Hub with support from Taiwan’s National Development Council, reflected a broader shift in the country’s role within the AI ecosystem.
The startups represented a mix of emerging areas including digital twins, robotics, AI agents and healthcare, aligning closely with enterprise AI adoption trends. Some gained formal visibility within NVIDIA’s ecosystem, with companies such as MetAI and Spingence featured in the Inception Program, while six others presented their work in the conference’s poster gallery. These formats allowed them to engage directly with developers, enterprise users and potential partners rather than simply exhibiting technology.
A defining feature of Taiwan’s presence this year was how closely startups operated alongside established hardware companies such as ASUS, AAEON and Compal. This setup reflected a vertically integrated model where infrastructure and applications are developed together, offering a clearer path from product development to deployment. It also underscored Taiwan’s gradual shift from being primarily a hardware supplier to participating more actively across the full AI stack.
Activity around the conference extended well beyond the exhibition floor. A Taiwan Demo Day held during the week drew more than 1,000 registrations and nearly 600 in-person attendees, bringing startups into contact with close to 200 international investors. The event focused on structured introductions and deal flow, positioning startups in front of venture firms and corporate innovation teams looking for AI applications.
Alongside these formal sessions, Taiwan Startup Night provided a more informal but equally strategic setting. With over 100 curated participants, including founders, investors and corporate representatives, the gathering created space for early-stage conversations that could evolve into partnerships or market entry opportunities. These interactions, while less visible than on-stage presentations, are often where initial collaboration takes shape.
Taken together, the events around GTC point to a more coordinated approach to international expansion. Through platforms like Startup Island TAIWAN, the emphasis is not just on visibility but on building continuity—connecting startups with investors, partners and customers across multiple touchpoints in a single week. As AI development increasingly spans chips, systems and applications, Taiwan’s presence at GTC suggests a more integrated role, where the focus is as much on enabling global deployment as it is on developing the technology itself.