A recent report from Madrid’s IE University has revealed a strong inclination among Europeans towards the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in law enforcement and military functions.
This survey, which gathered responses from over 3,000 individuals across the continent, shows that a remarkable 75% of participants support the use of AI technologies—such as facial recognition and biometric data—by police and military organizations for surveillance activities.
This finding raises questions given Europe’s stringent data privacy laws, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which was enacted in 2018 to protect user information.
Despite the serious implications of AI deployment, the public appears largely untroubled.
Ikhlaq Sidhu, dean of IE University’s School of Science and Technology, noted that many people may not fully grasp the potential consequences of these AI applications.
Generational differences reveal younger citizens more trusting of AI in democratic processes than older generations.Interestingly, support for AI extends beyond security, with 79% endorsing its use in public service areas like traffic management.
Yet, when it comes to sensitive areas such as parole decisions, a majority (64%) of Europeans express their opposition.
Concerns about AI become more pronounced regarding its influence on democracy.
The same report indicates that 67% of Europeans are wary of AI’s potential to manipulate elections.
Misinformation remains a significant threat, particularly with the rise of deepfakes, which can distort political narratives and undermine public trust.
Notably, 31% of respondents believe AI has already swayed their voting decisions.
Additionally, the survey highlights a generational gap in attitudes toward AI.
About 34% of younger individuals (ages 18-34) would trust an AI app to cast their votes, a stark contrast to the mere 9% of those aged 65 and above who share this sentiment.
As discussions around AI’s role in society evolve, it is clear that while many support its use in security and administration, significant apprehensions linger regarding its implications for democracy and personal freedoms.