Key Findings
What do you want from the future of artificial intelligence?
The responses to this question reveal a complex and nuanced landscape of attitudes toward AI.
Sections
Decentralized Control of AI
People want freedom via decentralized control over AI
Over 70% of respondents globally prefer a decentralized AI future This preference holds steady across all demographics—age groups, genders, and geographic regions.
Why People Support Decentralization
Strong majorities (>72%) associate decentralized AI with:
- Transparency in development and deployment
- Freedom from interference and agenda-driven control
- Protection of personal and social liberties
- Natural checks on power concentration
Concerns About Centralization
Respondents (>72% agreement) describe centralized AI control as:
- A direct threat to fundamental freedoms
- Inherently prone to corruption
- Risk of monopolistic control
- Potentially dystopian in nature
Nuanced Perspectives
Despite strong support for decentralization, people express important caveats:
- Concerns about bad actors in a less regulated environment
- Worries about safety and misuse
- Some support is tentative but preferred over centralization
In Their Own Words
"If a country or government has full control over AI, it will be difficult for the public interest to be truly protected. When those who hold the highest power have full control over AI, there may be infringements on social and personal freedom. I am worried that in this case, the world will become more chaotic, and the rights and voices of the public will be suppressed."
Cultural Preservation
People see international cooperation as the best way to preserve diverse cultures
A clear pattern emerges: concerns about AI's cultural impact run deepest outside the Western world. The data reveals a geographic divide in how people view AI's threat to cultural identity.
"I care about different cultures and languages. I want to preserve them and not let technologies homogenize them"
What do you consider your culture? What is your favorite thing about it?
"My culture is centered around the importance of community and connection. What I cherish most is our tradition of coming together with family and friends for significant celebrations. This practice not only deepens our sense of belonging but also strengthens our relationships. These shared moments of joy and support underscore the value of unity and continuity in our lives, making it a treasured aspect of my cultural identity."
"My culture is how we treat our elders, younger ones and people of the same age. How we celebrate /share our joy and sorrow. How we handle difficult situations in life. How joyful and sad we can be and support each other in many situations. How we pass on our human values from one generation to another and keep it intact. "
What kinds of cultural things would you be most worried about losing in a future with advanced AI?
"The sense of togetherness because with more advancement people might be recording the usual rituals in the system and avoid togetherness with their respective families and elders and consider performing the rituals on their own just like a formality or to save time considering it a good time saving option most of the time which will lack the basic sense of cultural scenario for what they were made for. "
"I’m worried that the nuanced and deeply personal traditions of Italian culture, like local festivals, regional dialects, and artisanal crafts, might be overshadowed or homogenized by global technology. AI could prioritize widely-used languages and mainstream practices, potentially diminishing the unique aspects of smaller cultural practices and local traditions. Preserving these elements requires conscious effort to ensure technology respects and supports cultural diversity."
World Leaders
If you could make world leaders understand one thing, what would it be?
Data across five continents reveals consensus on what people want leaders to understand, transcending regional and cultural boundaries.
- Region: North America (USA)
- Demographics: 18-25, Male, Urban
- Region: Eastern Africa (Kenya)
- Demographics: 26-35 year old, Female, Urban
Human-AI relationships
Complex Views on AI Decision-Making
People's attitudes toward AI assistance reveal sophisticated attitudes toward AI assistance reveal sophisticated distinctions about when—and how much—they want AI involved in their decisions.
| Preference | Overall | Africa | Asia | North America | South America | Europe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data security is the area I am concerned most. | 51% | 52% | 52% | 46% | 51% | 51% |
| Sharing my personal information and financial data without taking my consent will make me uneasy | 51% | 52% | 52% | 52% | 49% | 49% |
| For example, an AI asking me to share my bank details with it so that it can help me to manage my records and transactions better, but I wouldn't be doing that as I feel it might leak this sensitive, personal information, which could pose a threat for me. | 52% | 52% | 53% | 49% | 56% | 49% |
| I fear leaking my personal data to the public and being misued by someone else. Although some consent are given but not sure where and who can misuse my information. | 51% | 55% | 49% | 53% | 46% | 49% |
Data shows 52% of people welcome AI assistance with routine but important choices like financial and educational planning, with highest acceptance in South America (62%) and Africa (58%).
However, the same proportion object to AI involvement in sensitive areas involving health or private information. When it comes to life-changing decisions requiring moral or ethical judgment, 51% want to maintain human control.
This suggests people value AI's analytical capabilities while preserving human judgment for critical choices.
It's About Partnership, Not Power The apparent contradictions in the data suggest people want AI as an advisor, not a decision-maker. They're open to AI's analytical capabilities but want to maintain human judgment for critical choices.