More than half of Australians believe artificial intelligence (AI) will create more problems than it solves, with women far more likely to be concerned over the advanced technology.
New data from Roy Morgan, which surveyed 1,481 Australians aged 16 and over in the SMS Survey, found 57 per cent of respondents think the future of AI will produce more challenges than it will benefits in Australian society.
The survey also found females were more likely to be sceptical of AI, with 62 per cent agreeing it creates more problems than it solves, than their male counterparts (52 per cent).
Roy Morgan conducted the research in conjunction with the Campaign for AI Safety, which works towards greater public awareness of AI safety and advocates for strong laws to regulate AI.
Nik Samouloc, the coordinator of the Campaign for AI safety, said the results of the survey demonstrate the need for greater regulation on the advancing technology.
“Most Australians are pessimistic about artificial intelligence, especially when it comes to job security and opportunities for misuse,” he said.
“The poll suggests that people want government regulation to deal with these issues, including unknown consequences and new problems that AI will create.”
Roy Morgan’s survey found one in five Australians believe the advancement of AI risks human extinction in just 20 years, and Samouloc said the government should respond to this concern from the public.
“The Australian government does not have time to delay AI regulation, nor to delay banning the development of dangerous AI that can be misused or cause grave accidents,” he said.
Reasons for the respondents’ scepticism, including the majority of women, include the risk of job losses and the need for greater regulation.
While AI-related jobs are on the rise, a UNESCO report in 2022 found, globally, women represent only 29 per cent of science research and development positions, including in AI.
CEO of Roy Morgan Michele Levine agreed greater regulation is needed surrounding AI, particularly to protect the jobs of Australians.
“Australians are excited about the benefits that AI technology can bring to everyday life, but on the balance, the majority of us feel the potential for job losses, misuse and inaccuracy outweigh these benefits,” she said.
“Australians feel there is a clear need for regulation in the AI space, to ensure that these risks can be adequately managed.”
There are no specific laws in Australia to regulate AI. “General regulation” of the technology currently falls under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) or the Australian Consumer Law, while the use of AI in workplaces or particular sectors are managed under “sector-specific regulations”, like the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cth) when used in the medical sector.
In June this year, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources opened the Safe and Responsible AI in Australia Discussion Paper. The Department consulted on how the Australian government can “mitigate any potential risks of AI and support safe and responsible AI practices.” Submissions for the Discussion Paper closed on August 4.
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) made a submission to the Discussion Paper with 47 recommendations, including establishing specific laws and policies for AI regulation, a government taskforce to prevent misuse of AI in Australia, public education on digital literacy and more.