New Poll: Public fears over government use of Artificial Intelligence

Public opinion has so far been largely missing from discussions on future controls on Artificial Intelligence (AI), including negotiations in Brussels on a new EU AI Act. Therefore, ECNL commissioned a survey in 12 EU countries, where a representative sample of the public were asked their opinions on the use of AI. The results have shown stark differences with some of the positions taken by EU countries, including on whether there should be EU-wide controls over AI that is developed or used for national security.

Some of the key findings: 

• The poll results demonstrate how people in all polled countries are seriously concerned about the application of AI for national security. According to the results, next to banking, this is the area where there are most concerns (55%). This surpassed the level of concern people have for AI use in healthcare, recruitment or welfare. 

• The survey also reveals overwhelming public support for AI rules which fully protect human rights in all circumstances. 70% said that when governments use AI for national security, the rights of individuals and groups should always be respected, without any exceptions.

• Two-thirds of respondents were worried about travelling to or working in other countries that have fewer protections for AI in national security.

Below you can find the files containing the methodology and findings overview, the overall results showing the responses per question, as well as the responses per country in the national language.