The AI Trust Gap: Developing World Trusts, Developed Fears
Most people are not entirely comfortable with companies using AI.
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Edelman’s Trust Barometer Report is a fun read and gives us great insights into how much people trust big tech and AI. However, it’s not all good news.
Let’s start with the biggest shocker: only 44% of people globally feel comfortable with businesses using AI.
That should stun banks and other companies that think their clients can’t wait for their next AI toy. It also shows that taking shortcuts in building responsible AI will be catastrophically received by the public, which is already uncomfortable with using the technology.
The report’s biggest macro-reveal is a stunning division between developing and developed economies, a theme throughout the report, which surveyed 33,000 people across 28 countries.
Take AI as an example. People in developing nations show far greater trust in both than those in developed nations. In China and India, 72% and 77% of people trust AI, compared to the US and UK, with 32% and 28%. The same gap also exists for trust in the tech industry.
After fifteen years in China, this gap makes perfect sense to me.
Residents in China, India, and the developing world see digital technology and AI bringing them access to once-unthinkable services. These services directly improve their quality of life and economic standing. They trust digital technology and, by extension, AI because it measurably improves their lives.
In developed economies, where many people face economic challenges, there is the fear that AI will only diminish hard-fought economic gains. Mobile tech remains welcome, but it is not associated with improved economic standing as in developing nations.
This isn’t to say people in developed economies are Luddites and reject digital innovation. Unlike residents of developing nations, they need convincing proof that AI will enhance their lives and create value before they trust it.
Trust is fragile. The best way for companies using AI to protect it is to demonstrate to users that they are using responsible AI that adds value.
Interestingly, this is a more pressing need in the West than in developing nations.
👉Gleaning insights from the “Trust Barometer”
🔹 76% Trust Tech Companies to Do What is Right. Once again the data shows a gap with developing economies trusting tech far more than developed.
🔹 Tech gets the highest score of any industry in being ethical and competent. The lowest score in this group was government!
🔹 Tech fears are increasing, however, with fears of job loss due to automation, cyber attacks and information wars up 6,3 and 9%
🔹 Only 44% are comfortable with business using AI.
🔹 Only 27% are enthusiastic about AI and embrace its growing use
🔹 Younger Adults and Higher Income More Comfortable with Business Use of AI.
🔹 Trust in AI is highly variable across demographics:
➣ Men +6 over Women
➣ 55+ age group -19% compared with 18-34
➣ Low income -11% compared to high.
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