AI has the power to transform our world, but how do people truly feel about it? This was the question at the heart of Justin Thomas‘ presentation at the 2024 AI for Good Global Summit, where he explored the diverse and sometimes conflicting public perceptions of AI across the globe. As Senior Research Specialist at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), Thomas shed light on how optimism about AI’s potential coexists with deep-seated concerns, revealing a complex landscape of global attitudes toward this rapidly advancing technology.
“There is absolutely no doubt that AI can be a force for good,” Thomas remarked, acknowledging the overwhelming optimism surrounding AI’s potential to advance societal progress.
However, he cautioned that AI could also “undermine and get in the way” if not managed with care. This duality forms the crux of his presentation, which delved into the results of a global survey exploring public attitudes toward AI across 35 countries.
Global Survey Reveals Diverse Attitudes Toward AI
Thomas shared that the survey included responses from 1,000 individuals in each of the 35 countries, covering seven world regions. The results revealed that 66% of respondents globally view AI as a force for good. However, this optimism was not evenly distributed. Nations like China and Vietnam showed exceptionally high levels of AI optimism, with over 90% of respondents expressing a positive view. In contrast, countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom displayed significant levels of AI pessimism.
This stark difference in perception, Thomas suggested, may be influenced by media portrayals of AI and the public’s lived experiences with the technology.
“Depending on which media you read, AI is [either] going to be a disaster […] [or] a panacea that will usher in a golden age,” he observed.
Such polarized narratives contribute to the varying degrees of optimism and pessimism observed in different regions.
The Roots of AI Pessimism
Thomas also explored the underlying reasons for AI skepticism, particularly in regions where pessimism prevails. He pointed out that the rapid rollout of AI technologies has sometimes led to missteps, such as the gender bias seen in early AI assistants like Siri and Alexa, which defaulted to female voices. These kinds of oversights, even after being addressed, have contributed to a sense of unease and hesitation among the public.
In one particularly troubling example, Thomas referenced a case where a popular social media platform’s AI chatbot gave inappropriate advice to a user posing as a 14-year-old girl. The chatbot’s failure to recognize the potentially dangerous situation highlighted the risks of deploying AI without adequate safeguards. “This is in the public domain,” Thomas stated, underscoring the importance of addressing such issues proactively.
The Need for Caution and Regulation
The survey also revealed significant support for slowing down AI development to allow regulations to catch up. About 66% of respondents globally endorsed the idea of a more cautious approach to AI, with this sentiment being especially strong in the Anglosphere. Thomas emphasized that public concerns, particularly regarding safety and the potential for AI to perpetuate existing inequalities, must be taken seriously.
Thomas emphasized that there is a significant opportunity to avoid replicating old world inequalities in the emerging AI landscape, urging for a balanced approach that incorporates both innovation and ethical responsibility. He concluded by noting that while optimism about AI’s potential is widespread, it is essential to address the valid concerns that contribute to public hesitancy.
As AI continues to advance, understanding and engaging with these diverse perspectives will be crucial in ensuring that the technology is developed and implemented in ways that truly benefit society.
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