20% of Aussies believe AI could lead to our extinction

New research has revealed that Aussies remain sceptical of AI. With more and more companies introducing these systems, employers may need to be wary of the distrust that surrounds this technology.

Fifty-seven per cent of Australians over the age of 16 believe AI causes more problems than it solves, according to a survey by Roy Morgan.

“Australians are excited about the benefits that AI technology can bring to everyday life, but on the balance, the majority of us feel the potential for job losses, misuse, and inaccuracy outweigh these benefits,” said Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine.

Some of the fears this tech poses are severe, with a fifth of respondents believing AI presents the risk of human extinction in the next 20 years.

The issues people have with AI vary. The top three reasons respondents gave for why AI needs regulation were:

1. Job losses (15 per cent)
2. Need for regulation (13 per cent)
3. Open to misuse (11 per cent)
4. Unknown consequences (10 per cent)
5. It will create new problems (8 per cent)

Ms Levine commented: “Australians feel there is a clear need for regulation in the AI space, to ensure that these risks can be adequately managed. Surprisingly, one in five of us are so concerned about the rise of AI, that we think there is a real risk of the extinction of the human race at the hands of AI in the next two decades.”

Nik Samoylov, coordinator of the Campaign for AI Safety says these results highlight an apprehension to accepting this tech: “Most Australians are pessimistic about artificial intelligence, especially when it comes to job security and opportunities for misuse.”

“The poll suggests that people want government regulation to deal with these issues, including unknown consequences and new problems that AI will create. The Australian government does not have time to delay AI regulation, nor to delay banning the development of dangerous AI that can be misused or cause grave accidents.”

The groups that were most sceptical of AI were women, older people, and those living in regional areas.

However, there are those who are optimistic about the increased utilisation of AI, with 43 per cent believing it solves more issues than it creates. The top reasons for this were:

1. It’s for the betterment of society (28 per cent)
2. It’s beneficial if used correctly (18 per cent)
3. Pros outweigh the cons (16 per cent)
4. Regulation can reduce problems (9 per cent)
5. It is already being used successfully (7 per cent)

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.