Citizens of the world do not see the same development potential in artificial intelligence. There is even a divide in the perception of emerging powers and Western countries.
The Ipsos Institute has set up, at the request of the organizers of the World Economic Forum in Davos, a barometer of artificial intelligence (AI). In this case, it is a survey whose purpose was to gauge the interest of different countries for this technology. Citizens from 28 nations were surveyed and it was found that emerging powers are, overall, much more optimistic about the rise of AI than Western countries.
It is in China that we find the most interest in artificial intelligence, with 78% of respondents believing that this technology has more advantages than disadvantages and will benefit society in the long term. To the same question, 76% of Saudis, 71% of Indians and 70% of Peruvians answer in the affirmative. Pessimistic, only 31% of French believe in the potential of AI, as well as 32% of Canadians, 33% of Dutch and 35% of Americans.
According to Henri Wallard, Deputy CEO of Ipsos interviewed by AFP (reproduced by BFMTV), “in China, a number of measures show that artificial intelligence is already familiar” so many people say “understand the technology and see the benefits”.
Education and training, areas where AI is expected
A fracture that is found on other major issues. Thus, only 41% of Belgians believe that AI could have a positive impact on their family, while 81% of Peruvians are convinced of it. Regarding the areas in which artificial intelligence will mark a positive change at the global level, everyone agrees that it is in education and training that the benefits will be most visible. On the other hand, only 37% of respondents foresee an improvement in the area of freedoms and rights, and 47% in that of employment.
However, beware of methodological biases. Ipsos indicates that the opinions expressed were collected from representative samples of 1,000 people in China, France and nine other countries, and 500 people in Peru, India and 15 other countries. Also, the institute specifies that in China and in certain emerging countries, the people questioned generally had a particular interest in technology, which perhaps explains the greater optimism observed concerning the development of AI.