BIS study compares GenAI adoption and trust in US and Italy
A new Bank for International Settlements working paper compares household adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the United States and Italy. The study finds higher GenAI usage in the US, while Italians express greater confidence in its potential and trust in institutions for data handling.
Two nations, different adoption paths
A recent working paper from the Bank for International Settlements reveals distinct patterns in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) adoption between the United States and Italy.
The study, leveraging comparable survey data, found that 36.4 percent of US households reported generic GenAI use, compared to 31.0 percent in Italy.
For regular weekly use, the figures were 13.7 percent for the US and 11.7 percent for Italy.
This overall disparity is primarily attributed to heterogeneous socio-demographic compositions, with the US having a larger share of groups typically associated with higher GenAI usage, such as individuals under 40, university graduates, and employed persons.
However, within specific groups, young Italians demonstrated higher generic and regular GenAI usage than their US counterparts, while older, less educated, and retired Italians showed lower adoption rates.
Trust, confidence, and data
Beyond adoption rates, the BIS paper highlights notable differences in perceptions and trust regarding GenAI.
Despite lower overall usage, Italian households express more optimistic expectations about GenAI's potential to improve their well-being and financial situation.
Both Italian and US users generally exhibit less trust in GenAI tools compared to human-operated services.
However, Italians report greater relative trust in government and institutions when GenAI tools process personal data.
The research utilized comparable survey data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Survey of Consumer Expectations and the Bank of Italy's Household Outlook Survey, ensuring consistency through identical, translated questions and calibrated population weights.
Culture shapes the digital future
This study provides crucial insights into the complex interplay of culture, demographics, and technology adoption, challenging simplistic assumptions about digital transformation.
While the findings underscore the importance of socio-demographic factors, the nuanced differences in trust and optimism reveal deeper cultural attitudes towards technology and institutions.
For policymakers, this suggests that fostering GenAI adoption requires more than just infrastructure; it demands tailored approaches addressing societal perceptions and trust frameworks.