BERLIN: Public opinion in Germany is divided over the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a survey released on Wednesday that revealed both optimism and concern about the technology's future.
The latest poll conducted for public broadcaster ARD found that 38% of respondents believe AI will improve their lives over the next five years, while 45% expect it to make life worse.
Views are more positive among younger adults aged 18-34, where 51% say AI will improve living conditions, compared with 37% who expect a negative effect.
Respondents identified the greatest risks in AI-generated images and videos depicting individuals, such as so-called deepfakes. According to the survey, 53% consider this a very high risk and 38% a high risk.
The issue has drawn public attention in Germany in recent weeks amid high-profile allegations involving a former celebrity couple.
Television presenter Collien Fernandes has accused her ex-partner, actor Christian Ulmen, of spreading pornographic deepfakes of her using social media profiles allegedly created in her name. Ulmen's lawyer has announced legal action in response to initial coverage of the accusations by news magazine Der Spiegel.
Respondents to the survey also raised concerns about distinguishing between real and fake news generated or influenced by AI, with 47% viewing this as a very high risk and 43% as a high risk.
Fears about job losses linked to AI were less pronounced but still significant: 17% described the risk as very high, 47% as high, 29% as relatively low and 4% as no risk at all.
The representative survey, conducted by polling institute Infratest dimap, interviewed 1,316 eligible voters aged 18 and over between Monday and Tuesday via telephone and online. – dpa
