Public Trust in Technological Advances Erodes as AI Innovation Falters
A recent global poll conducted by public affairs firm Edelman has revealed that public trust in the pace of technological change is declining due to concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). The survey, which included responses from 32,000 individuals across 28 different countries, found that twice as many people believe that innovation is being poorly managed compared to those who hold a positive view. Interestingly, people in Britain were among the most skeptical out of all the countries surveyed.
These findings come at a time when business leaders and politicians are convening at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, with AI being a key topic of discussion. Edelman emphasized the importance of effectively managing and explaining the impact of AI innovations, as poorly managed advancements can lead to public backlash rather than societal progress.
One area of AI that has drawn particular attention is generative AI, which is trained on data to produce human-like content such as poems and software code. This technology gained prominence in the past year with the release of the ChatGPT app. The British government hopes to position the country as a global hub for AI development, but concerns persist about the potential job displacement caused by this technology. A recent report by the WEF also highlighted the threat of misinformation, including the creation of deepfake videos using AI.
According to the Edelman poll, 39% of respondents believed that innovation was being mismanaged, while 22% thought it was well managed. The remaining 39% remained neutral. Among the countries surveyed, Britain ranked fourth in terms of skepticism towards technological advances, with 49% expressing the view that innovation is being poorly managed, and only 16% holding a positive outlook. The United States ranked as the most skeptical country, with 56% of respondents expressing a negative view, followed by Australia and Germany.
Overall, the survey found that slightly more respondents reject AI than embrace it. Trust in technological developments has diminished for several reasons, including concerns that science is losing its independence to politicians or financial backers, as well as a perception of a biased system that favors the wealthy. Interestingly, the survey also highlighted that scientists and experts are no longer seen as more trustworthy than someone like me when it comes to informing the public about new technologies.
Richard Edelman, the chief executive of Edelman, emphasized the need for businesses to pay attention to public acceptance of innovation, as fear of change has become a significant factor driving populism. He stated that innovation should be a growth enabler but may be stymied if acceptance is not given the same level of consideration.
In conclusion, the poll conducted by Edelman reveals a decline in public trust regarding the management of technological advancements, particularly in the field of AI. As the world grapples with the implications of AI on various aspects of society, addressing public concerns and managing the impact of these innovations becomes increasingly crucial for fostering trust and positive societal progress.
