Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a ubiquitous part of everyday life and work. AI is enabling rapid innovation that is transforming the way work is done and how services are delivered. For example, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are having a profound impact. Given the many potential and realised benefits for people, organisations and society, investment in AI continues to grow across all sectors, with organisations leveraging AI capabilities to improve predictions, optimise products and services, augment innovation, enhance productivity and efficiency, and lower costs, amongst other beneficial applications.

However, the use of AI also poses risks and challenges, raising concerns about whether AI systems (inclusive of data, algorithms and applications) are worthy of trust. These concerns have been fuelled by high profile cases of AI use that were biased, discriminatory, manipulative, unlawful, or violated human rights. Realising the benefits AI offers and the return on investment in these technologies requires maintaining the public’s trust: people need to be confident AI is being developed and used in a responsible and trustworthy manner. Sustained acceptance and adoption of AI in society are founded on this trust.

This research is the first to take a deep dive examination into the public’s trust and attitudes towards the use of AI, and expectations of the management and governance of AI across the globe.

We surveyed over 17,000 people from 17 countries covering all global regions: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA). These countries are leaders in AI activity and readiness within their region. Each country sample is nationally representative of the population based on age, gender, and regional distribution.

We asked survey respondents about trust and attitudes towards AI systems in general, as well as AI use in the context of four application domains where AI is rapidly being deployed and likely to impact many people: in healthcare, public safety and security, human resources and consumer recommender applications.

The research provides comprehensive, timely, global insights into the public’s trust and acceptance of AI systems, including who is trusted to develop, use and govern AI, the perceived benefits and risks of AI use, community expectations of the development, regulation and governance of AI, and how organisations can support trust in their AI use. It also sheds light on how people feel about the use of AI at work, current understanding and awareness of AI, and the key drivers of trust in AI systems. We also explore changes in trust and attitudes to AI over time.