Responsible AI in Practice
INTRODUCTION:
RESEARCHING PUBLIC ATTITUDES AS A GUIDE FOR NAVIGATING RESPONSIBLE AI
What do the public really think about AI?
In 2021 we undertook research to understand what AI controls might look like and the public attitudes that underpin them. Our findings showed people did not regard AI as a top priority for regulation - instead regulating cybersecurity, data privacy, child sexual abuse online, misinformation, and tax contribution were viewed as more important.
But the world has changed since then, with both AI technology and the associated policy environment evolving. AI products are more readily available for use, and people’s understanding of and expectations about the role AI should play in society are changing. Policy, law and regulation will likely be influenced by those societal expectations, in turn shaping the AI development and operating environment.
To help anticipate the pressures on policymakers and demands from stakeholders that will shape the legal and policy framework for AI, companies can build a deeper understanding of people’s expectations around it. To get a clearer picture of what people think about AI, this year we spoke to focus groups of policy-informed individuals in Germany, the UK and the US to explore their perspectives on AI issues such as bias, consent,
copyright, transparency, and content moderation. We’ve found that people’s attitudes towards AI are developed, nuanced and remain optimistic about the potential of AI, but there is much more work to do to demonstrate that the right tools are available to realise the full potential of AI responsibly and safely.
No single piece of research can provide a comprehensive roadmap on how best to meet societal expectations - particularly on a topic as broad and complex as AI. Nonetheless, we hope these findings can serve as a guide, indicating the direction of travel, helping identify possible approaches to relevant issues, and pinpointing questions for deeper exploration.
“The report provides valuable insights into public perceptions about AI and offers practical analyses to help guide companies who are defining their AI strategies. Although regional and individual approaches may vary, the public appears optimistic about AI's potential and expects thoughtful collaboration among industry and the regulators on AI governance, accountability and oversight. We are excited to partner with Milltown Partners on this important research and look forward to continuing this foundational dialogue with our clients and our network.”
Devika Kornbacher, Partner & Co-head, Global Tech Group, Clifford Chance
