Artificial intelligence is widely used in a variety of fields. But what reactions does it elicit in Italians? 37% have a positive impression, another 37% are neutral, and 21% express fear and distrust. This is the conclusion drawn from the Fourth Ital Communications-IISFA (Italian Digital Forensics Association) Report on Artificial Intelligence in Italy, which was presented to the Senate. The survey found that the people interviewed were optimistic, concerned, and believed that regulation was necessary. The information landscape and new regulations play an important role, with a particular emphasis on safety and individual rights. 35% of Italians associate Artificial Intelligence with technology, 26% consider AI to be the future, and 15% see AI as a tangible benefit to human activities. However, 14% express negative emotions, and 8% are able to concretize their fears. 66% of people say they are very or fairly optimistic about the future of artificial intelligence, while 63% are confident in AI systems. In terms of AI knowledge and competence, one out of every two Italians claims to know something, with only 6% saying they know a lot. One in every two people admits to knowing little, while 6% say they know nothing. Young people know far more than adults (62% of 18-34-year-olds claim knowledge of the subject, compared to 36% of those over 54). However, it is still a self-taught knowledge, as they themselves acknowledge. According to the report, 69% of respondents use AI-based technology or applications. The diffusion is almost total among young people (83%), but less among the majority of adults (57% among those over the age of 54). In terms of types, the most popular are virtual assistants (53%), followed by generative AI apps (30%).
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