Australians among the biggest AI skeptics — ABC News Australia
In Australia, the level of trust in and acceptance of artificial intelligence is among the lowest in the world, although the technology is increasingly entering everyday life, work and education. This was reported by ABC News Australia, citing a study by the University of Melbourne and consulting firm KPMG.
According to Nicole Gillespie, a professor of management at the University of Melbourne, residents of developing countries, including India and China, are more likely to view AI as a path to prosperity. The technology can compensate for a lack of skills, information and professional connections, as well as overcome language barriers to access global markets.
They use it, but do not trust it
An Ipsos survey showed that residents of the Asia-Pacific region often use AI even while having doubts about it. The highest rates of such use were recorded in China, Indonesia and Malaysia. In Australia, New Zealand and Japan, more than half of respondents also reported using AI despite mistrust.
Hamish Munro, Ipsos CEO for the Asia-Pacific region, noted that trust is not always a prerequisite for the spread of technology: people may use it while simultaneously doubting how much they can rely on the results obtained.
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Australian users who responded to an ABC inquiry expressed concerns about AI errors, the difficulty of verifying answers and the use of data. Some refuse to use programs in which artificial intelligence functions cannot be turned off. Most Australians, according to the University of Melbourne and KPMG study, support regulation of this field.
Australian government plans
Assistant Minister for Technology Andrew Charlton said that public trust will determine whether Australia’s AI industry develops. He stressed that skepticism arises from fears that society will bear the risks while others receive the benefits.
The Australian government plans to increase trust in AI through reforms aimed at reducing its risks. Priorities include the legislative introduction of a digital duty of care for AI companies, changes to personal data protection legislation, and testing of advanced systems at the newly established Australian AI Safety Institute.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also announced the development of Australian standards for the industry and the introduction of relevant legislation in parliament early next year. Proposed requirements include rules for data centers to reduce water use and provide new electricity supply capacity to cover their own consumption. These steps are being discussed amid opposition to data center construction in some local communities.
