This post was originally published on this site.
(Getty Images Bank)
A new study found that South Koreans exhibited the second-highest level of anxiety over technologies like generative artificial intelligence replacing them at work out of 10 major countries examined. Yet public opinion about using AI is more favorable than in other countries. Notably, most Koreans do not seem to feel the need for oversight and regulation when it comes to AI development.Â
Cheong Se-jeong and Shin Young-kyu, associate research fellows at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, analyzed the results of a cross-national survey (SCOaPP-10) of people in 10 countries, including South Korea, the US and many European nations, and presented their findings in an article titled “A Comparison of Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in 10 Countries.”Â
Their analysis revealed that Koreans have mixed feelings when it comes to AI technology.Â
In response to the statement, “The introduction of new technologies threatens my job,” 35.4% of respondents said they “strongly agree.” Among the countries surveyed, Korea demonstrated the second-highest rate of such a response, behind Italy’s 39.1%. It was significantly higher than the UK (28.3%), Sweden (20.1%) and Denmark (18.3%).Â
The analysis shows Koreans are significantly more anxious about employment and their jobs being replaced by new technologies. When asked to evaluate their competence with new digital technologies, Koreans gave their skills a poor grade when compared to their international peers.Â
On the other hand, Koreans exhibited a comparatively open mind regarding the adoption of AI technologies. Among respondents, 64.2% had a favorable view of AI and robot technology designed to offer companionship to those in old age; 63.8% had favorable views of AI to aid people in tax filing and entitlement payments; and 58.7% approved of AI designed to diagnose disease. Among the 10 countries surveyed, Koreans had the highest approval ratings for such technologies. The Finns and the Danes had the lowest opinion of the same technologies.Â
Regarding the regulation of AI, Koreans exhibited a passive attitude. When asked about the need for an independent entity to monitor and regulate generative AI development, 58.7% of Korean respondents said they “strongly agree” or “agree.” This was the second-lowest proportion after Italy. When asked about regulating companies that raise their profits by replacing workers with new technologies, 32.9% called for “no regulation or minimal regulations.” Among the 10 countries surveyed, Koreans had the most unfavorable view toward AI regulation.Â
Â
Particularly notable were the survey results regarding public trust in institutions that employ large amounts of data. When asked to name trustworthy institutions that collect and employ the personal data of users (multiple responses allowed), only 41.6% named the central government. Again, this was the second-lowest rate of trust in the central government, with the lowest being the Italians. Conversely, 73.2% of Finns and 65.1% of Norwegians replied that they trusted their central governments to act responsibly when collecting and employing their personal data.Â
The researchers evaluated the results as evidence that “Koreans, compared to their peers, underestimate their competence with digital technologies, while they exhibit a tendency towards unquestioningly adopting such technologies and excessively immersing themselves in them without any critical introspection.”Â
“While anxiety or concern about digital transformation and digital skills can drive growth in South Korean society, excessive competitiveness and competition can lead to increased social costs, expanded conflicts, and a decline in social cohesion,” the researchers concluded. Â
By Sun Dam-eun, staff reporter
Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]