Sixty two per cent of Indians claimed to be aware of products and services using AI, whereas the same awareness was higher in China (81%) and Indonesia (80%). Despite this awareness, there is a visible trepidation among Indians, with 51% expressing nervousness about AI products and services, according to a recent survey by IPSOS.
This nervousness is more pronounced in countries like Ireland (67%), New Zealand (66%), Great Britain (64%), the United States (64%), and Australia (63%).
Paradoxically, 63% of Indians are excited about AI products and services, with higher excitement levels in China (80%), Indonesia (76%), Thailand (76%), and South Korea (73%). The general perception that AI has more benefits than drawbacks is endorsed by 62% of Indians, and even more so by citizens of China (83%), Indonesia (80%), and Thailand (80%).
TRUST IN AI
Trust in AI remains a crucial factor in its adoption. Six in ten urban Indians (60%) trust companies using AI to protect their data, and 63% believe AI will not discriminate or show bias towards any group of people. Interestingly, this trust level is mirrored when it comes to people, with 63% of Indians trusting humans to be non-discriminatory.
Globally, trust in AI to be non-discriminatory (54%) is higher than trust in people (45%). This suggests a significant level of confidence in AI’s ability to act impartially, compared to human actions.
AI AND THE FUTURE: IMPACT ON DAILY LIFE AND JOBS
- Daily Life: AI’s impact on daily life is profound. According to the survey, 65% of Indians say that AI has significantly changed their daily life in the past 3-5 years, and an equal percentage expect AI to continue to change their daily life in the next 3-5 years.
- Jobs: The potential impact of AI on jobs is a mixed bag. Only 26% of urban Indians believe AI will change how they perform their current job in the next five years. This concern is higher in Indonesia (44%) and lower in Thailand (28%) and China (21%).
- Interestingly, 54% of urban Indians feel it is likely that AI could replace their current job in the next five years. This sentiment is stronger in Thailand (69%), Indonesia (66%), Türkiye (63%), and Malaysia (62%).
BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS
- The increased usage of AI is seen both as a boon and a bane by Indians:
- Improvement in Jobs: 46% believe AI will make their job better.
- Reduction in Disinformation: 49% think AI will reduce disinformation on the internet.
- Job Market: 48% expect the job market to improve with AI.
- Economic Growth: 52% believe the economy will get better.
- Entertainment Options: 52% anticipate better entertainment options.
- Efficiency: 52% think AI will increase efficiency in completing tasks.
- Health: 51% expect health improvements due to AI.
Expert Insights
Amit Adarkar, CEO of Ipsos India, noted, “India is at the inflexion point, where it sees the rationale of hopping onto the artificial intelligence bandwagon, at the same time it is treading with caution. AI is definitely going to impact our current jobs, and we see mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness at the same time around AI. It will definitely make our lives better across different facets of job, economy, health, entertainment, and increasing efficiencies. Trust in AI is high in terms of protecting personal data. Interestingly, AI is perceived to be at par with humans in terms of trust in non-discrimination and being unbiased towards others.”
Hamish Munro, Ipsos APEC CEO, added, “People are still firmly divided over whether AI will be a friend or foe in the coming years. Across the APAC region, Asian countries are leading the charge for embracing the technology, showing both a strong understanding and excitement about the technology. English-speaking countries, including Australia and New Zealand, remain sceptical about AI, particularly its impact on their day-to-day life and employment. Greater education around the technology and practical examples may help to build confidence in the AI revolution and how it can be harnessed to improve everyday life.”
The survey highlights a complex relationship between AI awareness, trust, and expected impact. While Indians and many in the APAC region show significant excitement and trust in AI, there is also a palpable nervousness and concern about its implications. As AI continues to evolve, it will be crucial to address these concerns through education and practical applications that demonstrate its benefits and mitigate its risks.
