ZEIT Reporting on KIRA Survey: How Germans Think about AI
Philip Fox, 14 April 2023
What do Germans think about AI? A representative survey by the Center for AI Risks & Impacts (KIRA) maps public perceptions of opportunities and risks posed by AI in early 2023. German newspaper ZEIT Online reports on the survey today.
Since the release of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence has become an important topic in public discourse. An open letter recently sparked a discussion on AI safety: In it, renowned AI experts and tech leaders like Elon Musk call for a six-month moratorium on the development of certain AI technologies.
What do people in Germany think about this demand and AI in general? Our survey offers remarkable insights. Three key findings:
The general attitude toward AI is neither clearly negative nor clearly positive.
Germans are concerned about several risks posed by AI technologies. They do not expect the state to regulate AI adequately.
Concern about AI risks cuts across all political groupings. Much of the evidence points to a new cross-cutting issue with no clear ideological poles.
KIRA founder Daniel Privitera commented: "The results show that concern about AI risks is widespread across all age and political groups. Germans want more protection against these risks. At the same time, they doubt that policymakers will adequately regulate AI. A comprehensive societal effort is now needed to make the transition to advanced AI technology safe and fair."
Our survey provides policymakers, businesses, research institutions, and civil society with valuable insights to constructively advance the public conversation on AI.
KIRA is a new, independent think tank. We work with academia, industry and the public sector to build a future where advanced AI is beneficial and safe for humans.