Majority of Europeans Call for Government Regulation on AI to Safeguard Jobs, Finds Study
A recent study conducted by Spain’s IE University reveals that a majority of Europeans are advocating for government restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) to protect job security. Out of a sample size of 3,000 Europeans, an overwhelming 68% expressed the need for their governments to introduce regulations aimed at mitigating the impact of AI-driven automation on employment.
This figure represents an 18% increase from a similar study carried out by IE University in 2022, where only 58% of respondents believed that AI should be regulated. The fear of potential job loss emerges as the most common concern among Europeans regarding the rise of AI technology.
The most common fear is the potential for job loss, says Ikhlaq Sidhu, dean of the IE School of SciTech at IE University.
The study was conducted by IE University’s Center for the Governance of Change, an applied-research institution focused on enhancing the understanding and management of innovation.
Interestingly, Estonia stands out from the rest of Europe as the only country where support for AI regulation decreased. The percentage of Estonians calling for government-imposed limits on AI dropped by 23% compared to the previous year, leaving only 35% advocating for such measures.
The general sentiment in Europe tilts towards favoring AI regulation as a means to mitigate the risk of job losses. This shift in public opinion is likely due to the recent introduction of generative AI products, such as ChatGPT, which have raised awareness about the potential impact of AI on employment.
The issue of AI regulation is not unique to Europe, as governments worldwide are actively working on developing frameworks to manage AI algorithms. In the European Union, the AI Act is a proposed legislation that adopts a risk-based approach to govern AI, assigning different levels of risk to different applications of the technology.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to convene an AI safety summit at Bletchley Park, renowned as the historic site of the codebreakers who played a pivotal role in ending World War II. Sunak aims to position the UK as a global leader in AI safety regulation, leveraging the country’s strong heritage in science and technology.
The study also reveals a concerning trend among Europeans when it comes to distinguishing AI-generated content from genuine content. Only 27% of respondents expressed confidence in their ability to identify AI-generated fake content. Among older citizens in Europe, the doubt grows even stronger, with 52% admitting they wouldn’t feel confident in discerning between AI-generated and authentic content.
This lack of confidence has raised alarm among academics and regulators, as AI-generated synthetic material poses a potential threat to elections and the dissemination of misinformation.
In conclusion, the majority of Europeans are calling for government regulations on AI to protect job security. As the impact of AI on employment becomes more apparent, public sentiment towards AI regulation is increasing. Governments around the world are responding to this demand by working on legislation and initiatives to govern AI algorithms effectively. However, the study also highlights the need for increased awareness and education on identifying AI-generated content to combat the spread of misinformation.
