The advent of generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT has marked a turning point in the interaction between technology and society, with Switzerland emerging as an emblematic case of rapid dissemination and critical debate.
A couple of years after the public launch of Chat GTP, 98% of Swiss internet users are aware of it, and 54% have used it at least once. Young people between the ages of 16 and 29 represent the most active group, with 93% of users, while among those over 70, penetration drops to 24%. This data, collected by the University of Zurich in collaboration with the World Internet Project, paints a picture in which age and level of education play a decisive role in technological adoption, widening pre-existing digital inequalities.
Knowledge and Dissemination of AI Tools
Almost all of the Swiss population connected to the internet (98%) has heard of generative artificial intelligence tools, a figure that has grown significantly compared to the 79% recorded in 2023. However, only 29% claim to have in-depth knowledge, with marked differences between generations: 61% of young people under 30 consider themselves experts, compared to just 7% of those over 70. This gap reflects a recurring pattern in technological adoption, where age acts as a primary discriminating factor.
Education further amplifies the disparities. Among graduates, 41% claim to master these tools, a percentage twice as high as those with a low to medium level of education. This polarization suggests that AI not only reflects existing inequalities but risks exacerbating them, creating a divide between those who have the cultural tools to exploit it and those who remain excluded.
Usage Patterns: Between Experimentation and Integration
Half of Swiss users (54%) have experimented with AI tools, an increase of 50% compared to 2023. However, frequent use (19%) remains limited, indicating that for many it is still a technology in the exploration phase. 54% of users admit to having tested them mainly “to see how effective they are,” while 38% use them to simplify complex texts, solve work problems, or learn new skills.
Integration in the educational and professional field shows unexpressed potential. 30% use them for entertainment, and 19% to generate content that would traditionally require human effort, such as reports or research. Despite the novelty of the tools, 72% of users declare themselves “quite” or “very” comfortable using them, with slight variations between demographic groups. This familiarity, although preliminary, indicates a transition towards increasingly structured forms of human-machine collaboration.
The Paradox of Non-Users: Skepticism and Fears
46% of the Swiss online population has never used AI tools, and 77% of these do not intend to do so in the next six months. The main reasons lie in the distrust of the reliability of the information generated (average rating 4.01 out of 5) and in the perception of little relevance in daily life (3.93). Interestingly, concerns about privacy (3.84) outweigh the simple lack of interest (3.75), revealing an undercurrent of diffidence towards the ethical implications of these technologies.
Non-users with low education express more marked skepticism, linked to the conviction that AI does not bring tangible benefits (3.18 vs 3.33 of the moderately educated). This data underlines how digital literacy plays a crucial role not only in adoption but also in the ability to grasp its potential.
Public Attitudes: Between Optimism and Caution
54% of Swiss people believe that AI can be used to monitor private life (3.86 out of 5), while 48% recognize its usefulness in increasing work efficiency (3.42). Fears of mass unemployment (3.08) and the idea that AI could “end humanity” (2.46) remain in the minority but reveal a generational stratification: young people under 30 are more likely to see positive impacts (3.80 vs 3.18 of those over 40).
The debate on the access of minors to AI tools polarizes public opinion: 54% would prohibit it, fearing repercussions on learning and critical thinking, while 33% would allow it to stimulate technological interest. Here the gender differences are clear: 64% of women oppose it, compared to 44% of men.
The Regulatory Question: An Unexplored Territory
A third of the population (34%) believes in the possibility of regulating AI, while 22% consider it unmanageable. 24% call for caution, arguing that it is too early to define parameters. Young people show greater confidence in institutions: 41% of those under 30 see governance as possible, compared to 26% of those over 70.
Among those who deny regulation, the conviction prevails that malicious actors (4.60 out of 5) and international divergences (4.33) make it impractical. This skepticism reflects a systemic distrust of transnational control mechanisms, accentuated by the speed of technological development.
Implications for the Swiss Digital Future
Switzerland is at a crossroads. On the one hand, the high rate of adoption among young and educated people promises to accelerate innovation in key sectors such as education, health, and finance. On the other hand, the risk of widening digital inequalities requires targeted policies: literacy programs for the elderly, ethical guidelines in the school use of AI, and public-private partnerships to bridge the educational divide.
The Swiss experience offers crucial insights for other countries: the balance between technological enthusiasm and social caution, between freedom of innovation and protection of rights, could define replicable models in contexts with similar socioeconomic characteristics. The challenge will be to translate widespread awareness into concrete tools to govern a transition that, numbers in hand, is already underway.
Original report here
At Ex Machina, we are always searching for new solutions to use in our projects to create personalized solutions for companies and public entities. If you want to learn more about our AI solutions, visit our website > https://exmachina.ch
