Get the latest news, advances in research, policy work, and education program updates from HAI in your inbox weekly.
Sign Up For Latest News
Among the 26 nations surveyed by Ipsos in both 2022 and 2024, 18 saw an increase in the proportion of people who believe AI products and services offer more benefits than drawbacks. Globally, the share of individuals who see AI products and services as more beneficial than harmful has risen from 52% in 2022 to 55% in 2024.
Around the world, two thirds of people now believe that AI-powered products and services will significantly impact daily life within the next three to five years—an increase of 6 percentage points since 2022. Every country except Malaysia, Poland, and India saw an increase in this perception since 2022, with the largest jumps in Canada (17%) and Germany (15%).
Globally, confidence that AI companies protect personal data fell from 50% in 2023 to 47% in 2024. Likewise, fewer people now believe that AI systems are unbiased and free from discrimination compared to last year.
First reported in the 2023 AI Index, significant regional differences in AI optimism persist. A large majority believe AI-powered products and services offer more benefits than drawbacks in countries like China (83%), Indonesia (80%), and Thailand (77%). In contrast, only a minority share this view in Canada (40%), the United States (39%), and the Netherlands (36%).
A recent American Automobile Association survey found that 61% of people in the US fear self-driving cars, and only 13% trust them. Although the percentage who express fear has declined from its 2023 peak of 68%, it remains higher than in 2021 (54%).
In 2023, 73.7% of local U.S. policymakers—spanning township, municipal, and county levels—agreed that AI should be regulated, up significantly from 55.7% in 2022. Support was stronger among Democrats (79.2%) than Republicans (55.5%), though both registered notable increases over 2022.
Globally, optimism about AI products and services has increased, with the sharpest gains in countries that were previously the most skeptical. In 2022, Great Britain (38%), Germany (37%), the United States (35%), Canada (32%), and France (31%) were among the least likely to view AI as having more benefits than drawbacks. Since then, optimism has grown in these countries by 8%, 10%, 4%, 8%, and 10%, respectively.
Globally, 60% of respondents agree that AI will change how individuals do their job in the next five years. However, a smaller subset of respondents, 36%, believe that AI will replace their jobs in the next five years.
While local U.S. policymakers broadly support AI regulation, their priorities vary. The strongest backing is for stricter data privacy rules (80.4%), retraining for the unemployed (76.2%), and AI deployment regulations (72.5%). However, support drops significantly for a law enforcement facial recognition ban (34.2%), wage subsidies for wage declines (22.9%), and universal basic income (24.6%).
Global perspectives on AI’s impact vary. While 55% believe it will save time, and 51% expect it will offer better entertainment options, fewer are confident in its health or economic benefits. Only 38% think AI will improve health, whilst 36% think AI will improve the national economy, 31% see a positive impact on the job market, and 37% believe it will enhance their own jobs.
