The rapid developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasingly shaping the public perception of the future of the economy and the world of work. A recent study by the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and the University of Vienna now sheds light on a direct connection between the assessment of AI and trust in democratic processes. The results were published in the renowned scientific journal PNAS.

Research shows that the majority of people in 38 European countries believe that AI displaces more human work than it creates new opportunities. Although the actual impact of AI on the job market is currently still limited, this perception is remarkably stable and particularly prevalent in economically developed countries.

The scientists were able to causally prove: The stronger the conviction that AI destroys jobs, the more dissatisfied people are with the way democracy functions – and the less they participate in political debates about technological future issues. Experiments in the UK and the US confirmed that confrontation with job-replacing AI scenarios reduces trust in democratic institutions and decreases willingness to engage in political discourse.

The study highlights that the societal consequences of artificial intelligence already begin with expectations and fears. Public debates that focus heavily on possible job losses can have unintended impacts on democratic stability.

The researchers also see an opportunity in their findings: public perception of AI is changeable. Targeted communication that emphasizes that the future of AI is not predetermined but can be actively shaped by democratic decisions could strengthen trust and promote political participation.