Global AI Optimism Increases as Usage Grows

This past year, AI entered the mainstream, showing people around the world how it can serve as an engine for transformation across many fields. How are people’s opinions changing as they experience and use AI in their work and everyday lives?

A new global survey from Ipsos and Google, "Our Life with AI: From innovation to application," reveals that attitudes towards AI are trending more positive as its use grows. The survey of 21,000 people across 21 countries shows that global AI usage has jumped ten percentage points to 48% and excitement about AI’s potential now exceeds concerns (57% vs. 43%, up from 50% / 50% last year).

While some concerns persist (29% of respondents believe that AI will change the economy in a negative way, down from 33% last year), people are beginning to experience the practical benefits of AI – from streamlining everyday tasks like email drafting to enhanced flood forecasting systems. This increased exposure to AI's capabilities – plus optimism about its potential to drive future breakthroughs in science, medicine, and other fields – has led to a greater understanding and appreciation of its potential.

Respondents are most enthusiastic about AI's potential to drive progress in healthcare and scientific research: 7 in 10 respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on science (72%) and medicine / health care (71%).

Personally and professionally, many people believe that AI will benefit them and are interested in exploring AI applications that can help them communicate, problem solve, and execute better. For example, 65% of global respondents are excited about using AI for personal assistance, like shopping online, organizing schedules, or planning trips.

Professionally, many people see AI as a tool to not only help them be more productive, but also operate at a higher, more strategic level. Almost three quarters (74%) of AI users are already using AI for work. More broadly, the public prioritizes using AI to help people use complex data or systems (84% important) and promote business problem solving (82%) as the most important AI workforce applications.

Globally, people favor fostering an environment that supports AI advances over restrictive regulations. People around the world want to see governments and AI companies working together to ensure responsible development, address valid concerns, and leverage AI's potential to shape a better future.

In nearly every country, people believe that fostering AI’s potential to advance science, medicine, and other fields is more important (59% globally) than protecting potentially impacted industries through regulation (41%). This holds true even in markets that have been traditionally less optimistic about AI, like the US (53% pro innovation / 44% pro regulation) and Europe (58% / 43%).

Around the world, people continue to feel confident that their country’s government can oversee AI development in the best interests of the public (61%, up from 57% last year). As we noted last year, the public continues to expect leaders across industry, national and regional governments, nongovernmental organizations, and academia to come together to responsibly leverage AI’s benefits.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, understanding public perception is crucial. These findings contribute to the ongoing dialogue about harnessing AI's power to benefit individuals and create a brighter future for everyone.

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