The technology industry is in awe of the continually expanding landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Rapid advances in machine learning, text-to-image generation, and language learning models have become frequent headlines in news from both the tech industry and mainstream media outlets. And with these constant developments come an increasing number of conversations about the ethics of AI and the risks and rewards associated with embracing it as an integral part of our daily lives.
A new global study, conducted in partnership between accounting firm KPMG and the University of Queensland in Australia, surveyed 17,000 people from 17 countries—including the BRICS bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to gain insights on the public’s understanding and acceptance of AI technology. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the current global perceptions of AI and just how welcoming different countries are to the technology.
The survey revealed that the countries with the strongest overall acceptance of AI are within the BRICS bloc. India had the highest trust level in AI, with a 75% acceptance rate, followed by China (72%), Brazil (63%), South Africa (61%), and Russia (47%). This is not entirely surprising given the greater availability, awareness, and usage of AI technologies in the more emerging countries. For instance, the study found that those from China had the highest engagement with A.I. (75%) in their workplace, with India having 66% and Brazil 50%.
On the other hand, citizens of more developed countries such as the United States and Japan were much more skeptical and wary of AI, with just 40% of Americans expressing trust in AI. Interestingly, although the people of Japan had the third-lowest trust rate (23%), they also had the highest acceptance rate of AI-driven chatbots (88%). Similarly, Finland’s trust rate was tied for the lowest (23%), but 51% of users claimed to have used AI-enabled services in their daily activities.
What’s clear is that there are still a lot of risks that come with AI, and users need to be aware of what these risks are. The survey revealed that the lowest trust in AI systems lies within the Human Resources sector, with only 36% of respondents expressing trust in it. This may be because of the potential for bias, incorrect decisions, and privacy invasion that could occur if AI is applied in this particular arena.
While these results and expert concerns undoubtedly should not be dismissed, the overall positive sentiment surrounding AI is clear. A staggering 82% of respondents reported having some knowledge of AI, and 98% of those surveyed in South Korea stated that they were aware of it. Additionally, 67% of respondents said they felt optimistic about the potential of AI, while only 24% said they were outraged.
The soaring acceptance and trust of AI in the countries studied by KPMG is a positive sign for the technology industry and its development of the technology. This study shows that attitudes towards AI technology are shifting in many parts of the world, as people become increasingly comfortable with its implications. Yet, at the same time, it’s important to continue to be mindful of the risks associated with AI and educate users on the potential danger of too accelerated development. Only then can we truly bask in the opportunities presented by AI and make the most out of the technology.
