AI: Why Germans are skeptical

Artificial intelligence (AI) is still one of the most important buzzwords when people talk about technology and digitization. On the one hand, AI promises great progress in many areas of life; on the other, it harbors risks that are difficult to assess.

This can be seen, for example, in self-driving cars, which on the one hand can make road traffic much safer, but on the other hand currently still seem unpredictable and would have to make ethical decisions in case of doubt, where it is not yet clear who will take responsibility in the event of an accident.

In this context, researchers and entrepreneurs around the world are warning of inventions that could have an uncontrollable, even destructive impact on humanity. In addition to nuclear weapons, climate change and biotechnology, artificial intelligence is also seen here as a potentially existence-threatening risk.

Germans are also rather skeptical about the use of AI in general, a recent YouGov survey shows. Just under one in two (45 percent) perceive a balanced risk-benefit ratio, but a quarter (26 percent) rate the risk as higher, while only 15 percent see the benefit as higher.

The proportion of skeptics increases with age. While Millennials (18 to 36 years old) tend to have a balanced perception of benefit (18 percent) and risk (22 percent), Baby Boomers are much more fearful (13 percent see benefit, 29 percent risk).

There is rejection above all in areas of application in which justice and ethics play a role. There are clear differences in attitudes toward the various tasks that machines with artificial intelligence could take on.

There is great rejection of AI in areas where humans are assessed. Three quarters (77 percent) prefer to sit across from a human at a job interview and also reject the selection of an applicant for a job by machines (73 percent).

Here, intelligent technology is not trusted to behave fairly, although human judgment leaves much room for irrelevant criteria and biases such as likability, appearance, or "vitamin B."

Another area in which AI scares Germans is armed conflicts. The majority (71 percent) would not place the control of weapons systems in war in the hands of artificial intelligence.

People should continue to make decisions about people's lives. In comparison, Germans have fewer problems with autonomous cars (52 percent). Those surveyed have the least problems with the idea of simpler reports such as those on a soccer match (45 percent in favor) or share prices being produced by artificial intelligence (49 percent in favor).

Companies need to communicate advantages better

Our results show that companies planning to use artificial intelligence must clearly communicate its benefits to people. This is the only way to reduce prejudices and generate broad demand for the products.

Germans are clearly skeptical, especially in areas where justice plays a role. Transparency can mitigate this skepticism to some extent. Multimedia reporting on the subject will make consumers more aware of the technology and its potential benefits, and approval ratings will rise accordingly.

Little by little, smart technologies will continue to permeate people's everyday lives, and skepticism will continue to dissipate - especially as personal benefits come to the fore.