President Joe Biden left office warning of an emerging "oligarchy" of Big Tech billionaires in league with President Donald Trump, but voters evidently want the new government to prioritize the economy over reigning in the industry and its paragons, a recent poll has revealed.

Regulation of artificial intelligence and U.S. tech companies ranked low among voter priorities relative to conventional pocketbook issues in a survey from the American Edge Project shared with Just the News. AEP is an advocacy coalition that promotes the "positive impact technology and innovation have on America’s economy and businesses, particularly small ones, and how they enhance freedom of expression and our nation’s overall security."

While 91% of registered voters labeled inflation and cost of living as a "major" or "top priority," just 65% said the same of AI regulation and 64% for tech company regulation. "Jobs & the economy", "Medicare & Social Security", "Health care", and "National Security" all ranked above AI and tech regulation with voters.

“This poll makes it clear: voters want leaders who put America first by strengthening our economy, protecting national security, and keeping us ahead of adversaries like China. That’s why American tech innovation, especially in AI, is so important: it drives prosperity, defends our freedom, and ensures America stays on top. To secure our leadership, policymakers must partner with the private sector and champion open- and closed-source AI development, while avoiding misguided regulations that risk weakening us and handing the future to authoritarian regimes.”

When pressed on regulatory policy, voters appeared inclined to support a laissez faire approach to the industry, with 77% either "strongly" or "somewhat" agreeing that the U.S. should avoid "heavy-handed regulation" of AI at its current stage and allow the market to develop with minimal interference. Just 33% disagreed.

Conducted Dec. 2-9, the survey questioned 1,508 registered voters nationwide and has a margin of error of +/- 2.5%. Mercury Analysis conducted the survey on behalf of the American Edge Project.