How do we perceive AI according to the 2024 AI Index Report?
I believe that five years from now, access to artificial intelligence will be akin to what access to the Internet represents today. It will be the greatest differentiator between the haves and have nots. Unequal access to artificial intelligence will exacerbate societal inequalities and limit opportunities for those without access to it.
Back in April, the AI Index Steering Committee at the Institute for Human-Centered AI from Stanford University released The AI Index 2024 Annual Report.
Out of the extensive report (502 pages), I chose to focus on the chapter dedicated to Public Opinion. People involved with AI live in a bubble. We all know and understand AI and therefore assume that everyone else does. But, is that really the case once you step out of your regular circles in Seattle or Silicon Valley and hit Main Street?
Two thirds of global respondents have a good understanding of what AI is
The exact number is 67%. My gut feeling is that this number is way too high to be realistic. At the same time, 63% of respondents are aware of ChatGPT so maybe people are confounding AI with ChatGPT?
If so, there is so much more that they won't see coming.
This number is important because you need to see every other questions and response of the survey through the lens of a respondent who believes to have a good understanding of what AI is.
A majority are nervous about AI products and services
52% of global respondents are nervous about products and services that use AI. Leading the pack are Australians at 69%. Japanese are the least worried at 23%. People in U.S. are at the top as well at 63%.
Japan is truly an outlier, with most countries landing between 40% and 60%.
Personal data is the clear victim
Exaclty half of the respondents believe that AI companies will protect their personal data. And the other half believes they won't.
Expected benefits
Again a majority of people (57%) think that it will change how they do their jobs. As for impact on your life, top hitters are getting things done faster (54%) and more entertainment options (51%).
Concerns
Remember the 57% that thought that AI will change how they do their jobs? Well, it looks like 37% of them expect to lose it. Whether or not this is what will happen, that is a very high number of people who have a direct incentive to oppose AI.
Other key concerns include:
Conclusion
This is the first time I come across this report and I wil make sure to follow future annual reports to see how these trends evolve.
Overall, people are worried about AI. There are many things that could go wrong and people perceive that both jobs and privacy are on the line.
Full citation: Nestor Maslej, Loredana Fattorini, Raymond Perrault, Vanessa Parli, Anka Reuel, Erik Brynjolfsson, John Etchemendy, Katrina Ligett, Terah Lyons, James Manyika, Juan Carlos Niebles, Yoav Shoham, Russell Wald, and Jack Clark, “The AI Index 2024 Annual Report,” AI Index Steering Committee, Institute for Human-Centered AI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, April 2024.
The AI Index 2024 Annual Report by Stanford University is licensed under Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International.