Studies show that mistrust of artificial intelligence (AI) is growing in Switzerland with private companies’ use of personal data a top concern. This might explain why many Swiss voters are against the digitisation of identity documents. The narrow margin by which the Swiss people accepted the introduction of electronic identity documentation (e-ID) on Sunday confirms their cautious attitude towards digital innovations. According to some studies, this extends to artificial intelligence. AI represents the symbol of technology-related fears: it is perceived as powerful but opaque, dominated by large international companies. The study “Smart and Human” by the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) highlighted the distrust among the population. The majority of the 3,000 people surveyed in Switzerland, Germany and Austria believe that AI will change their lives for the worse and that companies will benefit over users, for example by increasing automation and decreasing wages. The study ...
