The study reveals a tension between the "obvious benefits and perceived risks" of AI, impacting both professional and societal spheres. Key findings indicate high intentional use of AI, particularly in the workplace, leading to increased efficiency and innovation.

However, this adoption also brings substantial risks, including policy contravention, over-reliance on AI output, and a lack of transparency in its use. There is a strong public demand for increased regulation, improved governance, and a proactive approach from organizations and governments to build trust and ensure responsible AI use. Interestingly, emerging economies show higher levels of AI adoption, trust, and perceived benefits compared to advanced economies.

Key Themes

1. Declining Trust Amidst Increasing Adoption

Trust Deficit: "more than half of people globally are unwilling to trust AI," with only 46% of global respondents willing to trust it.

Growing Distrust: Compared to a 2022 study (pre-ChatGPT), "people have become less trusting and more worried about AI as adoption has increased."

High Usage: Despite low trust, "66% of people are already intentionally using AI with some regularity."

2. AI in the Workplace: Benefits and Significant Risks

Prevalence: "three in five (58%) employees intentionally using AI – and a third (31%) using it weekly or daily."

Reported Benefits: Most employees report "increased efficiency, access to information and innovation," with almost half (48%) reporting "AI has increased revenue-generating activity."

Complex Risks: Policy Violation: "Almost half of employees admit to using AI in ways that contravene company policies, including uploading sensitive company information into free public AI tools like ChatGPT."

Over-reliance & Errors: "Many rely on AI output without evaluating accuracy (66%) and are making mistakes in their work due to AI (56%)."

Lack of Transparency: "over half (57%) of employees say they hide their use of AI and present AI-generated work as their own."

Governance Gap: Insufficient Training: Only 47% of employees have received AI training.

Inadequate Policies: Only 40% of workplaces have a policy or guidance on generative AI use.

Pressure to Adopt: Half of employees are "concerned about being left behind if they do not use AI."

Expert Insight: Nicole Gillespie emphasizes, "The findings reveal that employees use of AI at work is delivering performance benefits but also opening up risk from complacent and non-transparent use. They highlight the importance of effective governance and training, and creating a culture of responsible, open and accountable AI use.”

3. Societal Impact: Benefits, Concerns, and Demand for Regulation

Experienced Benefits: Four in five people report experiencing or observing AI benefits, including "reduced time spent on mundane tasks, enhanced personalization, reduced costs and improved accessibility."

Widespread Concerns: Four in five are concerned about risks, and "two in five report experiencing negative impacts of AI."

Negative Impacts: "loss of human interaction and cybersecurity risks through to the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, inaccurate outcomes, and deskilling."

Electoral Manipulation: "64% of people are concerned that elections are manipulated by AI-powered bots and AI-generated content."

Strong Demand for Regulation:"70% believe AI regulation is required."

Only 43% believe existing laws are adequate.

There is a "clear public demand for international law and regulation and for industry to partner with government to mitigate these risks."

"87% of respondents also want stronger laws to combat AI-generated misinformation and expect media and social media companies to implement stronger fact-checking processes."

Expert Insight: Nicole Gillespie notes, "The research reveals a tension where people are experiencing benefits from AI adoption at work and in society, but also a range of negative impacts. This is fuelling a public mandate for stronger regulation and governance of AI, and a growing need for reassurance that AI systems are being used in a safe, secure and responsible way.”

Organizational Opportunity: David Rowlands (KPMG) highlights "opportunities for organizations to lead the way in providing greater governance and taking a proactive approach to building trust with employees, customers and regulators."

4. Divergent AI Perceptions Between Emerging and Advanced Economies

Higher Adoption & Trust in Emerging Economies: People in emerging economies show "higher adoption of AI both at work and for personal purposes, are more trusting and accepting of AI, and feel more optimistic and excited about its use, compared to advanced economies."

"In emerging countries three in five people trust AI systems, while in advanced countries only two in five trust them."

Higher AI Literacy & Training: Emerging economies report "higher levels of AI literacy (64% vs 46%) and training (50% vs 32%)" compared to advanced economies.

Greater Perceived Benefits: Emerging economies report "more benefits from AI (82% vs. 65%)" compared to advanced economies.

Expert Insight: Nicole Gillespie suggests this divergence is "likely due to the greater relative benefits and opportunities AI affords people in these countries and the increasingly important role these technologies play in economic development.”