Survey Reveals 72% of Germans Unfamiliar with EU AI Act

A recent survey highlights a striking gap in public awareness regarding one of Europe’s key tech regulations.

Survey Reveals 72% of Germans Unfamiliar with EU AI Act

Polling firm Forsa, on behalf of the German TÜV Association, surveyed 1,001 individuals, revealing that 68% of Germans lack trust in their government’s approach to managing AI.

Of those, 45% expressed little confidence, while 23% admitted to having no confidence at all in the government’s ability to regulate AI risks effectively.

Participants were asked two questions: “How much trust do you have in government policies in Germany and Europe to mitigate potential negative impacts of AI through laws and regulations?” and “Are you familiar with the European AI regulation (EU AI Act)?”

A key finding from the survey is that 72% of Germans have never heard of the EU AI Act, the cornerstone of European legislation designed to ensure AI development is safe and trustworthy.

This lack of awareness highlights a troubling disconnect: distrust in policymakers’ ability to regulate AI isn’t necessarily rooted in knowledge of the law itself but reflects a broader skepticism toward political decision-making.

Despite the EU AI Act receiving significant international attention for its ambitious goals—such as regulating a technology capable of reshaping entire societies—it remains largely unfamiliar to the public.

Additionally, policymakers are not widely perceived as knowledgeable about AI, underscoring a divide between political efforts and societal engagement.

The TÜV Association has emphasized the urgency of implementing the AI Act in Germany. Dr. Joachim Bühler, CEO of the TÜV Association, stated, “The public’s doubts about the government’s ability to act highlight the importance of swiftly implementing the European AI Act, especially amid the current political instability.”

The EU AI Act establishes four risk categories for AI applications, with stricter controls for higher-risk uses. It also introduces transparency requirements for general-purpose AI systems like ChatGPT, aiming to build trust and accountability in AI technologies.

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