Distrust of AI significantly higher in Canada than other countries, survey finds.

According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, a survey of public confidence in institutions and professionals, Canadians have lower levels of trust in innovative technologies like gene-based medicines and artificial intelligence (AI) compared to other countries. Specifically, only 31% of Canadian respondents trusted AI, which was 19 percentage points lower than the global average. Trust in genetically modified foods was even lower at 28%, while gene-based medicines had a neutral trust level of 50%. The survey also found that 54% of Canadian respondents rejected AI, while only 17% embraced it. This skepticism towards AI aligns with concerns raised by prominent AI researchers in Canada, who have warned about the potential risks of rapid AI advancement. The association of AI with job loss and the perception that current AI technology is repetitive or faulty may contribute to these anxieties. [Extracted from the article]