How Do People Feel About AI
When determining how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your business, it’s essential to consider ‘what do you know about AI’ and ‘how people really feel about AI’. Our team took to the streets of Sydney's CBD to gather opinions on AI. Here's a breakdown of what we found.
Before the last meeting of the day (I have 30 seconds)
Before you get ready to leave, get a quick pulse check on how Sydney feels about AI.
AI is seen as "a fantastic tool" with "huge ramifications for everybody".
Sydneysiders express both excitement and caution about AI's potential.
There's a need for "good regulation" and maintaining human oversight.
AI has the potential for problem-solving and efficiency gains across industries.
While you wait for the Uber (I have 2 minutes)
In case your driver loves a chat, get ready to share Australians' thoughts and feelings about AI.
How do Australians feel about how to use AI
Sydneysiders are beginning to discover the practical applications of AI in their work and daily life. As one person noted, "It helps me gather new ideas", highlighting AI's role in boosting creativity and productivity.
What does the principle of fairness in Gen AI entail?
Some mentioned the importance of "good regulation,” pointing out the need for fairness and ethical considerations in AI development.
This principle of fairness involves optimising model architecture to reduce biases. For example, when our team uses tools like TBX, we ensure human oversight at each step to minimise any biases that may influence the impact of AI.
Is AI good, or is AI bad?
Public opinion is divided, with our Sydney street survey revealing a nuanced understanding of AI's potential.
One respondent described it as "a huge cultural step change", acknowledging its transformative power. Another saw it as having "huge ramifications for everybody", recognising its far-reaching impact. But, one respondent summed it up perfectly: "It's a double-edged sword, but I think a lot of good can come from it.”
For our team, the answer to this question comes down to how organisations and brands use it.
Before yoga class (I have 5 minutes)
While you wait, read how you can strengthen your organisation's approach to AI based on our findings.
Unpacking Public Sentiment
The positive aspects of AI were clear to many:
Enhanced problem-solving capabilities
Increased efficiency and productivity
Potential for innovation across industries
However, the public also expressed valid concerns:
Risk of human over-dependency on AI
Potential for AI to exert undue control or influence
Need for proper regulation and ethical guidelines
How can AI concerns be harnessed for good?
There’s potential to turn these anxieties into positive action for your organisation.
Ethical AI Frameworks: You should develop and implement comprehensive ethical guidelines for AI development and use. This addresses the call for "good regulation" that was heard in our survey.
Transparency and Explainability: Make your AI systems more transparent and explainable in their decisions. This can help alleviate fears of AI "controlling us in the future".
Human-AI Collaboration: Design your AI systems to complement human skills rather than replace them. This approach can maximise the benefits of AI as "a fantastic tool" while preventing over-dependency.
Continuous Education: Promote AI literacy among the general public and your workforce. This can help people understand how to use AI effectively without overly relying on it.
Regular Impact Assessments: Your organisation should continuously evaluate AI's impact on various sectors and society. This can help us avoid potential issues and adjust our approach as needed.
Why is controlling the output of generative AI systems important?
One respondent cautioned about making "the human brain too dependent on it", highlighting the importance of maintaining human oversight and critical thinking.
What can I do with AI?
AI is already enhancing productivity in various fields. From “gathering new ideas” to automating tasks, AI tools have been integrated into daily work processes, indicating why many people in our video had positive feelings towards them.
When you partner with the right experts, your organisation can use AI at scale for business transformation. Chat with us to give yourself the ability to fix business problems without any of the complexity you may be dreading when faced with significant business decisions.
How does AI increase efficiency and productivity?
AI can quickly analyse vast amounts of data, automate routine tasks, and provide insights that humans might miss, thereby increasing overall efficiency and productivity.
This can save your organisation time. However, it’s essential to use a portion of this time for human oversight to to help mitigate any potential risks of AI.
Embedding AI Positives in Industries: AI & mental health
We must explore new perspectives on what AI can do to transform industries positively. One example is mental health, an industry traditionally seen as very human-centric. A few positive use cases for AI in this space would include:
Early Detection: AI can analyse patterns to identify early signs of mental health issues.
Personalised Treatment: AI can help tailor treatment plans based on individual patient data.
24/7 Support: AI-powered chatbots can provide round-the-clock support.
Research Acceleration: AI can analyse vast data to identify new treatment approaches.
As we navigate the AI revolution, it's crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. By acknowledging both the potential and the concerns, we can guide AI development to maximise its benefits while safeguarding human values and autonomy. The future of AI is not predetermined—it's up to us to shape it responsibly.
Contact us if this has opened your mind about leveraging AI in your business.
