Will Artificial Intelligence Harm us in Future?

What is artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a product of machine learning algorithms. It has emerged as a transformative force in the 21st century, promising to revolutionize industries, enhance efficiency, and redefine human-machine interactions. Most importantly, OpenAI has revolutionized the industry with fascinating models e.g., ChatGPT. AI is a topic that ignites various discussions, ranging from its potential positive impacts to concerns about its negative effects on society and the job market.

Therefore, there exists a diverse landscape of perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes toward AI that significantly influence its adoption, regulation, and societal impact. For instance, many wonder, “Will artificial intelligence take away jobs?”. Sometimes, what others deem exciting about AI is the same thing that others dislike. The perception of AI spans a wide spectrum, ranging from excitement and optimism to skepticism and fear. This perception reflects the intersection of technology, ethics, culture, and human psychology, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on society.

How will AI impact us in the next 20 years?

Recent surveys conducted by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation across 121 countries in 2019 and 2021 shed light on global attitudes towards AI. According to the report, the continental average proportions of populations afraid that artificial intelligence would cause mostly harm in the future were 41% (Africa), 38% (South America), 31% (North America), 31% (Europe), 29% (Asia), and 24% (Australia), in 2021. These, however, present a decline compared with the 2019 results, except for Africa, where there was a 3% increase, indicating a growing apprehension towards AI’s potential harm.

Countries like Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe witnessed significant rises in the proportion of the population fearing the negative effects of artificial intelligence, with increases exceeding 18% over the two years. Conversely, some African nations experienced a reduction in such fears. For instance, Algeria and Mali saw a notable decrease of over 16% in the proportion of their populations, holding the view that AI would cause more harm to people.

In Europe, the majority of countries recorded a decrease in the perception that artificial intelligence would cause harm, with significant reductions in Belgium, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany. The trend showed that the region is optimistic about the positive impact of AI in the future. However, in countries like North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, and Kosovo, over half of the population still remained worried about the negative effects of the artificial intelligence technology.

In North America, the United States of America and Canada both saw a decrease in fear of artificial intelligence. South America also witnessed a decline in skepticism towards AI in most countries, with substantial decreases reported in Ecuador, Brazil, Jamaica, and Venezuela. Yet, countries like Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile still had a sizable portion of the population leaning toward negative perceptions of AI.

Similarly, in Asia, there was a notable reduction in the proportion of the population wary of AI in countries like Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and the Philippines. However, countries like Pakistan, Turkey, and Armenia have over half of their populations expressing concerns about the future impact of artificial intelligence on society.

The evolving perception of artificial intelligence influence in Africa underscores the need for tailored approaches to address concerns and promote responsible AI development. By acknowledging and addressing these perceptions, stakeholders can work towards fostering a more inclusive and informed dialogue around the role of AI in shaping Africa’s future. One fact about AI is its rapid evolution and increasing uptake across industries. As AI technology continues to advance, it’s crucial to ensure that ethical principles and considerations of societal impact guide its development. By leveraging the positive impact of artificial intelligence and addressing its dangers, we can harness its full potential to create a better future for all.

The data below shows the proportion of respondents who said that artificial intelligence will mainly harm society in the next 20 years. The survey was conducted in 2019 and 2021.

Will AI harm us in the next 20 years