Just 32 percent in US trust AI: Study

Only about a third of Americans trust artificial intelligence (AI), according to new data from the Edelman Trust Barometer.  

Just 32 percent of people in the U.S. say they trust the rapidly developing technology, according to the annual global survey’s “Insights for the Technology Sector.”

American views on AI stand in sharp contrast to those of their Chinese counterparts, 72 percent of whom say they trust AI. Overall, the world is split on AI, with 49 percent saying they trust the technology. 

“Fifteen years ago, tech was the engine of optimism,” Justin Westcott, Edelman’s global technology chair, said in a press release, adding, “Today, AI stands at the center of the next big leap forward. But with great potential comes great scrutiny. Trust is no longer a given, it must be earned.” 

He described AI as being “at an inflection point,” adding, “The path ahead isn’t about hype or fear it’s about proving its value, demonstrating responsibility, and bringing society along for the journey.” 

As a whole, developed nations are more likely to be distrustful of AI. Ireland, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany have some of the lowest levels of trust out of any country, with less than 30 percent expressing confidence in the technology. 

India and Nigeria, on the other hand, have the highest levels of trust, at 77 percent and 76 percent respectively. 

There is a similar geographical split in how comfortable people are when it comes to businesses using AI, with fewer than a third of those in Spain, the U.S., Sweden, Germany and France saying as much. 

India is again at the other end of the spectrum, joined by Indonesia, Nigeria, China and Saudi Arabia, in voicing high levels of comfort with AI use by businesses. 

Around the world, women, older individuals and those with lower incomes are less likely to trust AI or feel comfortable with businesses employing the technology, the survey found.

Trust in major tech companies “to do what is right” has fallen significantly in the U.S., dropping 10 points from 73 percent to 63 percent over the past decade. However, trust in tech firms globally remains relatively high at 76 percent.