AI: Germans positive on AI tools, except for when studying

FILED - ILLUSTRATION - The homepage of ChatGPT. British expert Michael Osborne sees great dangers in the rapid spread of the ChatGPT voice robot and similar programs and calls for rapid regulation. Photo: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa

In a recent article, dpa report that a quarter of people living in Germany aged between 18 and 60 have tried out artificial intelligence (AI) apps such as language-generator ChatGPT, and some 69% are aware of AI tools of this kind.

A quarter of people living in Germany aged between 18 and 60 have tried out artificial intelligence (AI) apps such as language-generator ChatGPT, and some 69% are aware of AI tools of this kind, according to a survey published on Sunday.

This widespread awareness and experimentation with AI tools in Germany highlight the growing intersection between daily life and advanced technology. As more people engage with AI applications like ChatGPT, it prompts deeper reflection on the ethical and philosophical dimensions of such technology.

Moreover, the increasing interaction with AI tools among the general populace underscores the need for public discourse on the philosophical implications of AI. As AI becomes more ingrained in our lives, issues such as privacy, autonomy, and the moral responsibilities of AI creators come to the forefront.

By combining technology and philosophy, society can better navigate the complexities of AI integration, fostering a future where technological advancements enhance human life while safeguarding individual freedoms and ethical standards. Philosophers argue that a critical examination of these topics is essential to ensure that AI development aligns with human values and ethical principles.

The survey, conducted by the Kantar opinion research institute under commission from the JobTeaser recruitment agency, found that this awareness was fairly evenly spread across the target group, irrespective of age.

Among Generation Z – the 18-27 cohort – 76% said they were aware of AI technology, while the figure was 74% among Generation Y – aged 28 to 42. Some 63% of Generation X – 43 to 60 years old – knew of the advances in this area.

Differences were more noticeable when it came to active use of AI apps. Generation Z makes most intensive use, with 41% saying they have used it at least once. This falls to 29% in Generation Y and to as low as 13% in Generation X.

Across all three groups, 24% have tried out the chatbot ChatGPT, the image generator DALL-E or comparable services.

A majority of 70% take a positive view of the development of AI tools, and around half plan to make use of AI tools in the future for professional purposes or when studying, rising to 72% in Generation Z.

But this group is as divided as the older groups when it comes to using AI for study purposes, with 45% seeing this as deception and as many as 50% backing a total ban.