A comprehensive survey conducted by Deloitte reveals that 68% of respondents across Europe believe that generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) will significantly support human work in various domains. This report forms part of the "Trust in AI. Polish Perspective 2024" study, which compiled opinions from approximately 30,000 consumers and employees in 11 European countries, including 2,914 participants from Poland. The findings suggest a growing recognition of GenAI's capabilities; currently, 18% of respondents are already leveraging this technology for professional purposes.
In Poland specifically, the survey highlights that 56% of respondents use GenAI for personal tasks, with 29% employing it in educational settings and 18% in professional environments. Among the surveyed Polish population, 72% believe that GenAI has the potential to enhance companies' products and services. Furthermore, 68% feel that it can improve job experiences by automating repetitive tasks, indicating a broader enthusiasm for embracing AI technologies within the workplace.
Despite the enthusiasm, the report indicates that the rate of GenAI usage for professional purposes in Europe slightly exceeds that of Poland. Approximately one in four European employees actively seeks innovative solutions, and over 60% of those using GenAI professionally report that their companies either encourage its usage or do not impose prohibitions against it. The data indicates a diverse landscape of GenAI utilisation within organisations: half of the users rely on free, publicly available tools, while a third utilise employer-provided solutions, and around 25% pay for market tools personally.
Amadeusz Andrzejewski from Deloitte commented on the Polish market's current status, suggesting that there is a clear need for regulatory frameworks governing AI utilisation in businesses, alongside the development of proprietary tools that cater to specific business processes. He added that moving from experimental applications of AI to full-scale implementation necessitates the expertise of a project team skilled in business processes, technology, and legal matters. Many Polish enterprises are currently exploring AI solutions, signalling an ongoing trend towards broader application.
The report reveals a concerning trend wherein more than half of European GenAI users employ tools without their employer's endorsement, which raises possible issues related to the use of unapproved solutions. This practice often stems from a lack of available tools within the organisation or dissatisfaction with existing functionalities. Notably, 23% of those surveyed indicated their organisations lack a formal policy regarding GenAI, leading to potential risks of customer data exposure, as these unregulated tools may not comply with data protection and privacy standards.
The Polish respondents expressed varying degrees of trust in GenAI, with confidence levels shifting based on the complexity of the application. For less risky tasks, such as summarising newspaper articles, 67% trust the results generated, while only 43% express confidence in applications linked to complex processes, like medical diagnostics. Jan Michalski from Deloitte noted that users tend to be more accepting of GenAI in lower-risk scenarios, underscoring the necessity for transparency and adequate training regarding AI usage within businesses and institutions.
Key factors in fostering trust amongst Polish users include data security (68%), maintaining human oversight in processes (62%), as well as assurances regarding results (62%) and understanding the workings of algorithms (60%). Meanwhile, doubts remain regarding the ethical application of AI in business, with only half of participants expressing confidence in responsible usage, and a similar proportion trusting governmental bodies to regulate these matters effectively. Moreover, 53% of users believe clearer legal guidelines would encourage more frequent AI deployment.
Michał Mostowik from Deloitte emphasised the critical role that upcoming EU regulations could play in establishing legal preparedness and trust in AI technologies. With certain provisions of the AI ACT set to come into effect by February 2, 2025, he recommended that companies take proactive steps, including classifying the AI systems they implement and clarifying existing procedures and responsibilities related to their use. As businesses look to harness the potential of GenAI, the upcoming regulatory landscape could significantly shape their approaches towards adopting this rapidly advancing technology.
Source: Noah Wire Services