Understanding the Global Sentiment Shift on AI-Powered Innovations and Services

Frank S. O'Hara
Aug 31, 2025
3 min read

Integrating AI Services Meets Biological Barriers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries and societies, but the public's response remains a mix of enthusiasm and concern. According to Ipsos’s AI Monitor conducted in early 2025, 53% of people globally feel excited about AI-powered offerings, while 50% feel nervous. Google–Ipsos research also shows that as AI becomes more widespread, optimism toward its benefits is increasing.

Global Excitement and Nervousness: A Snapshot of AI Sentiment

The 2025 Ipsos AI Monitor, which surveyed people across 30 countries, found that 38% of respondents believe AI will improve personal health compared to only 13% who fear it will worsen outcomes. In addition, 67% expect AI to be used for online search, with just 28% feeling uncomfortable about that role.

Regional Variations in Sentiment

The regional split in attitudes toward AI remains clear:

In English-speaking countries such as the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, anxiety about AI is higher than in many European and Southeast Asian nations. Analysts note this is linked to lower trust in government regulation in these countries.
In contrast, Southeast Asian nations including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand continue to report some of the highest levels of enthusiasm for AI adoption.

AI Sentiment and Trust Correlation

Trust and transparency play a major role in shaping public opinion. Countries where confidence in government oversight is stronger tend to show more excitement about AI adoption. However, public trust in companies that develop AI is slipping. Since 2023, the share of people who believe these companies protect personal data has fallen from 50% to 47%. Confidence that AI systems are unbiased and nondiscriminatory has also declined, fueling apprehension in several regions.

The Role of AI in the Future of Work

Insights from the 2025 AI Index Report by Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute highlight that 60% of people worldwide believe AI will change how they do their jobs in the next five years, while 36% think it could replace their jobs altogether. These findings are consistent with 2023 levels, showing a persistent concern about automation and employment disruption.

AI in Society: Beyond the Workplace

Expectations for AI’s impact on daily life are steadily rising. Nearly two-thirds of respondents now believe AI will significantly affect everyday activities within three to five years, an increase of six percentage points since 2022.

In the United States, a Reuters/Ipsos poll from August 2025 revealed widespread concern. Seventy-one percent of Americans fear AI could lead to permanent job losses, 77% are worried it could be used to spread misinformation and foster political unrest, and 61% are troubled by the high energy consumption of AI data centers. Nearly two-thirds also expressed fear that AI might erode or replace human relationships.

Conclusion

Global attitudes toward AI remain deeply divided. Excitement stands at roughly 53%, while nervousness is close behind at 50%. In Southeast Asia and parts of South America, AI is largely seen as a catalyst for growth and opportunity, while in English-speaking countries and much of Europe it is often viewed with suspicion, particularly regarding jobs, privacy, and ethics.

At the same time, confidence in government oversight and corporate responsibility is slipping, raising questions about how societies can balance innovation with protection. As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, managing transparency, ethical safeguards, and effective regulation will be key to determining whether it is embraced as a driver of progress or feared as a destabilizing force.

Citations

Nestor Maslej, Loredana Fattorini, Raymond Perrault, et al., The AI Index 2024 Annual Report, AI Index Steering Committee, Institute for Human-Centered AI, Stanford University, April 2024.
Ipsos, “Global Views on AI,” Ipsos Survey, 2023.
Julie R. Peasley, Visual Capitalist, 2023.