Women are more likely than men to view AI as unethical, with around 40% of Australians feeling uncertain about its benefits, according to a new report.
The survey reveals that only 22% of respondents use AI regularly or daily, and that positive ethical perceptions increase with levels of engagement and experience.
Megan Motto, CEO of the Governance Institute of Australia, said the findings highlight significant opportunities for organizations to increase engagement with AI through education and transparency.
“By addressing concerns and providing clear, accessible information, organizations can help society realize the full benefits of AI,” she said. “The survey results demonstrate that it would be beneficial to increase transparency around AI, provide greater clarity on human involvement and offer people the opportunity to question the decisions generated by AI. »
Motto said adopting the business practices outlined in the voluntary AI Safety Standard would likely improve ethical perceptions around an organization’s use of AI.
“By adhering to the guidelines, organizations can build greater trust with the public, ensuring that AI technologies are used responsibly and ethically,” she said.
Main findings Ethics Index 2024 Supplemental AI Report include:
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Women are more likely than men to perceive AI as unethical (-25);
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The main issues for those most concerned about AI are misuse and job replacement;
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Fifty-two percent of Australians said they rarely or never use AI, while 27% said they use it occasionally;
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Sixty-nine percent said they would think organizations would be more ethical if they disclosed the use of AI in customer-facing tools and services; And
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Those under 35 are more likely to think AI is very/somewhat ethical compared to their older counterparts, resulting in a higher ethics score among the younger audience.
“This report highlights the critical need for targeted education and engagement strategies from organizations to address the knowledge gap around AI and foster more assertive and positive perceptions,” Motto said.
According to the 2024 Ethics Index, concerns about cybersecurity and AI were among Australians’ top ethical considerations heading into next year, with artificial intelligence seen as the least ethical future development.
You can read the full report here.
