Generative AI has become a popular application among teenagers all over the world. — Photography Nutthaseth Vanchaichana/Getty Images/AFP Relaxnews
The rise of artificial intelligence is contributing to an increase in risky content, whether it be disinformation or explicit images. Teenagers are particularly exposed to this type of content and do not hesitate to take action when they deem it necessary.
According to Microsoft's Global Online Safety Survey, the adoption of artificial intelligence by the general public has grown significantly, despite the fears it raises. For example, 51% of people surveyed have used or experimented with generative AI in the past three months, an increase of 13 points over the previous year. Across all age groups, Indians are the biggest fans of generative AI, with 80% having already tried it. They are followed by people in Singapore (66%), South Africa (60%), Brazil (53%) and the United States (50%). Among those surveyed, the French are the least interested, with only 35% saying they have already tested these tools. However, 88% of all people surveyed say they are concerned about the risks posed by this technology, particularly in terms of data protection and image manipulation.
The study also reveals that 66% of respondents have been exposed to a risk related to generative AI in the past year. The most frequent dangers include misinformation or disinformation (47%), hate speech (33%), access to violent content (27%) and cyberbullying (21%). Exposure to content relating to self-harm and suicide (13%) and to deepfake pornography (12%) is also a significant risk.
Among the most exposed are teenagers. When faced with an online risk, the majority of them change the content, block a contact or mute the sound (74%), and then do not hesitate to talk to someone about their experience (66%). On the other hand, only 37% report the incident. They believe that it would change nothing and that it would have no consequences for the perpetrator. Overall, the gap between the risks actually experienced by teenagers and their parents' assessment of them is gradually narrowing. In 2024, 63% of parents believed that their children had been exposed to an online risk, compared to 69% of teenagers who say they have experienced one.
In terms of usage, young people are keen on practical applications of AI, such as translation or homework help, but concerns are emerging about possible misuse. For example, 82% of parents fear that their children will use AI to cheat at school. They are just as likely to fear that they will come across harmful content or deepfakes featuring acquaintances. The study also highlights a lack of ability when it comes to identifying AI-generated content: only 38% of those surveyed were able to distinguish a real image from an artificially generated image in a test.
*This study was conducted by Microsoft from July 19 to August 9, 2024, among teenagers (13-17 years old), parents of children (6-17 years old) and adults (18-64 years old), in 15 countries, including France, the United States and Brazil. In total, 14,800 people were interviewed. – AFP Relaxnews
