One of the key themes at Davos 2024 is AI as a driving force for the economy and society, exploring how we can use AI to benefit all and help address imminent sustainability challenges while managing the potential societal risks. GlobeScan’s global public opinion research shows that the public across all regions largely supports technology to help solve climate change, and many are increasingly looking to Big Tech as a force for good.
Two-thirds of people worldwide believe that “new technology will solve the problem of climate change, requiring only minor changes in human thinking and individual behavior,” up 15 points across 16 countries tracked since 2011.
These results suggest that the tech industry has an opportunity to significantly contribute to the transition toward a low-carbon and nature-positive future. But the public is not giving the tech sector a blank check: the continuing low trust that people have in business shows that the Tech industry needs to work in partnership with scientists/academia, civil society, and governments to create the much-needed robust trust equation that will ensure societal acceptance of business-led technological innovation.
Read more on how the tech industry can thread the needle in our report Technology, the Answer to Climate Change? Global Societal Trends on Trust, Climate, and Technology ahead of Davos 2024.
*Includes Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Spain, South Korea, Turkey, UK, and USA. Not all countries were asked in all years. Before 2020 this question was asked using an in-person and telephone methodology.
Survey question: For each of the following statements, please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree. – New technology will solve the problem of climate change, requiring only minor changes in human thinking and individual behavior.
Source: GlobeScan Radar Trends Report (survey of 29,565 people in the general public across 31 countries and territories in July ‒ August 2023)
