Report shows wide generational “AI divide” as one in three (34%) young Europeans would trust an AI app to vote on their behalf
67% of Europeans fear AI manipulation in elections
Two in three (67%) Europeans fear hackers could alter election results
Today, IE University’s Center for the Governance of Change (CGC) launched its annual European Tech Insights report, which reveals European citizens' attitudes toward technology and AI-related issues. This year’s report was developed in partnership with Apolitical and includes the perspectives of a small sample of public servants.
The report highlights public attitudes towards AI’s use in public services. 79% of Europeans are comfortable with AI helping job seekers find opportunities, while 77% support its use in optimising city traffic. However, the public remains more cautious about allowing AI to handle personal or legally sensitive matters, such as determining welfare eligibility or processing tax returns.
Additional insights:
67% of Europeans fear AI manipulation in elections
31% of Europeans believe AI has already influenced their voting decisions.
65% of Europeans are comfortable with AI processing their tax returns, but opposition is higher in the UK (51%).
Three in four (75%) Europeans support the use of AI in police and military operations such as facial recognition and biometric data for surveillance.
For more information and to review the full results of the European Tech Insights 2024 report, please visit https://www.ie.edu/cgc/research/european-tech-insights/
About IE University
IE University offers a technology-based learning ecosystem for leaders making a difference in the world through innovation, global vision, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a Humanities-based approach. IE’s faculty includes over 500 professors teaching degree, master’s, and doctoral programmes, as well as executive education to students from over 140 countries.
About the Center for the Governance of Change (CGC)
The Center for the Governance of Change (CGC) at IE University is an applied-research institution that studies the political, economic, and societal implications of technological transformation and proposes solutions to mitigate its negative effects.
About Apolitical
Apolitical is the world’s largest community of public servants, with a mission to build 21st century governments that work for people and the planet. Apolitical is used by 250,000 public servants and policymakers in 160 countries to find and share best practice through communities of peers, and to upskill with flexible online learning on 21st century government priorities. Members range from mayors and ministers to policy pioneers and digital innovators. Apolitical’s courses are co-developed with partners at leading universities and research institutions, including Oxford, the London School of Economics and Georgetown. Their flagship programmes include climate and sustainability, digital and AI, and the 21st century state.
Survey Methodology
The European Tech Insights 2024 survey was conducted through two surveys: one targeting the general population and a second with a qualitative focus on public servants. The general population survey surveyed 3,006 adults spanning 10 countries: Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom and were a representative for adults in the countries included, and by gender and age. In the public servants survey, Apolitical initiated a panel among its network members, which includes public servants from over 100 countries.
Return to News