The impact of AI is profound, but is it positive or negative?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a part of our everyday lives. From streamlining tasks at work to powering the apps we rely on, AI promises greater efficiency, convenience, and innovation. But with these advances come growing concerns—about our privacy, our jobs, and the broader social impact of machines doing what humans once did.
Interestingly, how people feel about AI often depends on where they live.
In 2024, research firm Ipsos surveyed over 23,000 adults across 32 countries to gauge global attitudes toward AI. Two-thirds of those surveyed—66 per cent—believe AI will soon have a profound effect on their daily lives. But whether they see that impact as positive or negative varies widely across regions.
People in Asia and Latin America are generally more optimistic. Around 83 per cent of Chinese respondents said they believe AI will bring more benefits than harm. In Mexico, 70 per cent agreed, and in India, the number stood at 62 per cent.
On the flip side, people from Europe and the English-speaking West tend to be more cautious. Only 39 per cent of Americans and 46 per cent of Britons felt that AI-based apps would be more helpful than harmful. In European powerhouses like Germany and France less than 40 per cent expressed confidence in AI’s positive potential.
Experts note that cultural, social, and economic factors help explain why many Asians view AI as more beneficial than people in Western countries do. Governments in Asia—particularly in China and India—have positioned AI as a cornerstone of national development. Public messaging and policy frameworks across the region emphasize AI’s potential to drive economic growth, shaping public perception to view it as an opportunity rather than a threat.
There are also observations that Asian media and education systems often spotlight the tangible benefits of AI—such as economic development, improved healthcare, and greater efficiency in daily life—fostering a pragmatic and optimistic outlook. In contrast, a lot of Western media tend to focus on risks, ethical dilemmas, and dystopian narratives, which can fuel scepticism and caution.
Moreover, many Eastern societies tend to have more hands-on, state-led approaches to regulating AI. In countries like China, where the government actively oversees how AI is developed and used, the public trust is high that technology will be handled responsibly.
On the other hand, in many Western countries, the conversation around regulation often focuses on risks, individual rights, and the need for tight controls.
Globally, optimism around AI has increased since 2022. Even in countries like France and Germany, where people have traditionally been more wary, there’s been a noticeable rise in positive attitude, according to the 2024 Ipsos survey. But India tells a different story: while still relatively upbeat about AI, the country saw a drop in optimism—from 71 per cent in 2022 to 62 per cent in 2024.
A recent KPMG survey also revealed a nuanced picture. While India continues to be one of the more optimistic countries when it comes to AI adoption, 78% of Indian respondents expressed concerns about its potential negative consequences, and 60 per cent reported a decline in human interaction due to the rise in AI adoption. At the same time, 67 per cent said they now feel unable to complete their work without AI—pointing to a growing overreliance on AI within the Indian workforce.
Sci/Tech