Global Survey Reveals Higher AI Trust in Emerging Economies Amid Widespread Adoption
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Emerging economies lead the way in AI trust, survey shows
LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - People in emerging economies are more willing to trust AI than those in advanced economies and are more optimistic and excited about its benefits, a major survey by the University of Melbourne and professional services firm KPMG has found. The global study showed two-thirds of those surveyed were now using artificial intelligence regularly and even more - 83% - believed it would result in a wide range of benefits. But 58% of respondents viewed the technology as untrustworthy, an increase in the level found in a previous study before the release of ChatGPT, a groundbreaking generative AI chatbot, in 2022. "The public's trust of AI technologies and their safe and secure use is central to sustained acceptance and adoption," said study leader Nicole Gillespie, chair of trust at Melbourne Business School, on Tuesday. The survey found a clear split between emerging economies, where three in five people trust AI, and advanced countries, where only two in five do. Gillespie attributed the higher adoption and trust of AI in emerging economies to the greater relative benefits and opportunities the technology affords people in these countries and the increasingly important role it plays in economic development. As AI gains broader use, businesses and governments have been grappling with how to balance innovation with ethical considerations such as job displacement and data privacy. The study surveyed more than 48,000 people across 47 countries between November 2024 and January 2025. Reporting by Paul Sandle in London Editing by Matthew Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Artificial Intelligence
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Emerging economies lead the way in AI trust, survey shows
The survey found a clear split between emerging economies, where three in five people trust AI, and advanced countries, where only two in five do. As AI gains broader use, businesses and governments have been grappling with how to balance innovation with ethical considerations such as job displacement and data privacy.People in emerging economies are more willing to trust AI than those in advanced economies and are more optimistic and excited about its benefits, a major survey by the University of Melbourne and professional services firm KPMG has found. The global study showed two-thirds of those surveyed were now using artificial intelligence regularly and even more - 83% - believed it would result in a wide range of benefits. But 58% of respondents viewed the technology as untrustworthy, an increase in the level found in a previous study before the release of ChatGPT, a groundbreaking generative AI chatbot, in 2022. "The public's trust of AI technologies and their safe and secure use is central to sustained acceptance and adoption," said study leader Nicole Gillespie, chair of trust at Melbourne Business School, on Tuesday. The survey found a clear split between emerging economies, where three in five people trust AI, and advanced countries, where only two in five do. Gillespie attributed the higher adoption and trust of AI in emerging economies to the greater relative benefits and opportunities the technology affords people in these countries and the increasingly important role it plays in economic development. As AI gains broader use, businesses and governments have been grappling with how to balance innovation with ethical considerations such as job displacement and data privacy. The study surveyed more than 48,000 people across 47 countries between November 2024 and January 2025.
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A major survey by the University of Melbourne and KPMG finds that people in emerging economies trust AI more than those in advanced countries, despite overall concerns about AI trustworthiness.
Global AI Adoption and Trust Landscape
A comprehensive global survey conducted by the University of Melbourne and KPMG has unveiled significant insights into the adoption and trust of artificial intelligence (AI) across different economies. The study, which surveyed over 48,000 people in 47 countries between November 2024 and January 2025, reveals a nuanced picture of AI perception worldwide
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.Widespread AI Usage and Optimism
The survey found that two-thirds of respondents are now using AI regularly, indicating a substantial integration of AI technologies into daily life. Even more striking is that 83% of those surveyed believe AI will bring about a wide range of benefits, showcasing a generally optimistic outlook on the technology's potential
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.Trust Divide Between Emerging and Advanced Economies
A clear dichotomy emerged in the trust levels between emerging and advanced economies:
- In emerging economies, three out of five people express trust in AI.
- In advanced countries, only two out of five people trust AI
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Nicole Gillespie, the study leader and chair of trust at Melbourne Business School, attributes this higher trust in emerging economies to "the greater relative benefits and opportunities the technology affords people in these countries and the increasingly important role it plays in economic development"
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.Concerns About AI Trustworthiness
Despite the overall optimism, the survey revealed that 58% of respondents view AI as untrustworthy. This marks an increase from a previous study conducted before the release of ChatGPT in 2022, suggesting that the rapid advancements in AI capabilities may have heightened public concerns
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Balancing Innovation and Ethics
As AI continues to gain broader use, the survey highlights the ongoing challenge for businesses and governments in balancing innovation with ethical considerations. Key issues include:
- Job displacement concerns
- Data privacy protection
- Ensuring safe and secure use of AI technologies
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Gillespie emphasized, "The public's trust of AI technologies and their safe and secure use is central to sustained acceptance and adoption"
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.Implications for Global AI Development
The survey's findings have significant implications for the global development and implementation of AI technologies. The higher trust and optimism in emerging economies could potentially lead to faster adoption and more innovative applications of AI in these regions. Conversely, the lower trust levels in advanced economies might result in more cautious approaches and stricter regulatory frameworks
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.As the AI landscape continues to evolve, these insights will likely play a crucial role in shaping policies, business strategies, and public engagement initiatives related to artificial intelligence across different economic contexts.
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