Global Divide in AI Trust: China and Developing Nations Lead, UN Survey Reveals
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China and Developing Nations Trust AI the Most, UN Survey Finds
With more than a decade of experience, Nelson covers Apple and Google and writes about iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings, and more. Artificial intelligence may be a global technology, but public attitudes toward it are anything but universal. A new United Nations poll shows that trust in AI is highest in China and other developing economies, while richer nations remain deeply skeptical. The findings come from a massive UN Development Programme survey that interviewed more than 21,000 people across 21 countries between November 2024 and January 2025. Researchers asked participants if they believe AI "serves the best interests of society," and whether governments can harness the technology to improve daily life. According to Bloomberg, 83% of participants in China said they trust AI, by far the highest share in the study, Confidence levels were above 60% in Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, India, Nigeria and Pakistan, nations that do not belong to the UN's very-high Human Development Index bracket, a yardstick for gauging overall well-being in a country. The picture is the opposite in high-HDI economies. A minority of adults in the United States, Germany, Australia and Greece expressed faith that AI is being used for the common good. One notable exception is Japan, where 65% trust AI, despite the country's high income and aging population. The UN researchers don't spell out why this gap exists, but other research hints at a pattern. In fast-growing economies, AI is widely promoted as a way to "skip steps" in development, perhaps filling in gaps in health care and classrooms, so the technology is viewed as a practical fix. In wealthier, more developed countries, headlines about disinformation and AI-driven job displacement dominate the conversation, leading to public unease.
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Trust in AI Strongest in China, Low-Income Nations, Study Shows
A United Nations study found a sharp global divide on attitudes toward artificial intelligence, with trust strongest in low-income countries and skepticism high in wealthier ones. More than 6 out of 10 people in developing nations said they have faith that AI systems serve the best interests of society, according to a UN Development Programme survey of 21 countries seen by Bloomberg News. In two-thirds of the countries surveyed, over half of respondents expressed some level of confidence that AI is being designed for good.
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A UN survey unveils a stark contrast in AI trust levels between developing and developed nations, with China showing the highest confidence. The study highlights the complex global attitudes towards AI adoption and its perceived societal benefits.
Global Trust Divide in Artificial Intelligence
A recent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) survey has unveiled a significant global divide in attitudes towards artificial intelligence (AI), with trust levels varying dramatically between developing and developed nations 1. The study, conducted between November 2024 and January 2025, involved over 21,000 participants across 21 countries, offering a comprehensive view of global AI perceptions.
China Leads in AI Confidence
Source: Bloomberg Business
China emerged as the frontrunner in AI trust, with an overwhelming 83% of participants expressing confidence in AI's ability to serve society's best interests 1. This figure stands in stark contrast to the skepticism observed in many developed nations, highlighting a clear east-west divide in AI perception.
Developing Nations' Optimism
The survey revealed a trend of high AI trust among developing nations. Countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan all reported confidence levels exceeding 60% 1. Notably, these nations do not fall within the UN's very-high Human Development Index (HDI) bracket, suggesting a correlation between development status and AI perception.
Skepticism in Developed Economies
Source: CNET
In contrast, high-HDI economies displayed significantly lower trust levels. The United States, Germany, Australia, and Greece all reported minority support for the notion that AI is being used for the common good 1. This skepticism aligns with ongoing debates about AI's impact on job displacement and concerns over disinformation in these regions.
Japan: An Exception Among Developed Nations
Interestingly, Japan bucked the trend among developed nations, with 65% of respondents expressing trust in AI 1. This anomaly is particularly noteworthy given Japan's high-income status and aging population, factors that typically correlate with lower AI trust in other developed countries.
Interpreting the Divide
While the UN researchers did not explicitly explain the reasons behind this trust gap, existing research suggests a pattern. In rapidly growing economies, AI is often promoted as a means to accelerate development, potentially addressing gaps in healthcare and education 1. This framing of AI as a practical solution to pressing issues may contribute to higher trust levels in these regions.
Global Implications
The survey's findings have significant implications for global AI adoption and governance. With more than 60% of people in developing nations expressing faith in AI's societal benefits, there's a clear indication of readiness for AI integration in these markets 2. This contrasts sharply with the cautious approach often advocated in developed nations, potentially leading to divergent paths in AI implementation and regulation across the globe.
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