A new global survey from the University of Melbourne and KPMG reveals that people in emerging economies are more trusting of artificial intelligence (AI) than those in advanced economies. The study, conducted between November 2024 and January 2025, found that people in these countries are not only more willing to trust AI, but also more optimistic about the benefits it offers. About two-thirds of respondents reported using AI regularly, with 83% believing that AI will bring a wide range of benefits to society.
However, the survey also highlighted a growing concern about AI’s trustworthiness, with 58% of participants expressing skepticism about the technology. This marks an increase in distrust compared to previous studies conducted before the release of generative AI systems like ChatGPT in 2022. Nicole Gillespie, the study’s lead, emphasized the importance of trust for the continued acceptance and safe use of AI technologies.
A clear divide was evident between emerging and advanced economies in terms of AI trust. In emerging economies, 60% of respondents expressed trust in AI, whereas only 40% of those in advanced economies shared the same sentiment. This disparity is attributed to the relative benefits AI provides in emerging markets, where the technology plays a crucial role in economic development and opens up new opportunities for growth.
As AI continues to expand, the survey underscores the challenge businesses and governments face in balancing innovation with ethical concerns, such as job displacement and data privacy. The study, which gathered responses from over 48,000 people across 47 countries, suggests that addressing these concerns is vital for ensuring the sustainable adoption of AI technology globally.
Source: Reuters