Why in News ?
- Pew Research Center (2025) released a global survey on public awareness, attitudes, and trust toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) across 25 countries.
- India recorded the lowest AI awareness globally — highlighting a major knowledge gap despite the country’s growing AI ecosystem.
Relevance :
- GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology: Issues related to awareness, adoption, and ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence in India; Digital India and AI Mission linkage; societal impact of emerging technologies.
- GS Paper 2 – Governance: Role of digital literacy and inclusion in effective policy implementation.
Key Findings (India-Specific Data)
| Parameter | India | 25-Country Median | Remark |
| Heard or read a lot/little about AI | 46% | 81% | Lowest among all countries |
| Heard or read a lot about AI | 14% | ~50% (in developed nations) | Very low awareness |
| Awareness among youth (18–34 years) | 19% | Much higher in others | 2nd lowest globally |
| Concerned about AI’s increasing use | 19% | Higher in most nations | Low concern reflects limited understanding |
| Trust in national AI regulation | ~90% | Much lower elsewhere | Highest trust globally |
Global Comparison
- High Awareness Countries: Japan, Germany, France, USA (~50% heard “a lot” about AI).
- Low Awareness Countries: India (14%), Kenya (12%).
- Correlation with GDP: Chart 5 shows a positive link between AI awareness and GDP per capita — wealthier countries tend to have higher AI literacy.
Overview
a. Awareness–Concern Paradox
- India’s low awareness (46%) contrasts sharply with high trust in regulation (90%).
- Indicates a top-down confidence in the state’s capacity rather than bottom-up understanding of AI’s implications.
b. Digital Literacy Divide
- Despite rapid smartphone and internet penetration, AI literacy remains shallow, particularly beyond urban, English-speaking populations.
- Reflects educational and linguistic barriers in technology adoption.
c. Youth Awareness Gap
- Even among 18–34 age group (digital natives), only 1 in 5 know much about AI — revealing a disconnect between exposure and comprehension.
d. Socioeconomic Correlation
- Higher-income economies show greater AI familiarity — suggesting that economic development and education quality are critical determinants of tech awareness.
e. Implications for Policy and Governance
- AI public literacy must become part of Digital India 2.0 and National AI Mission outreach.
- Without citizen-level understanding, AI ethics, privacy, and regulation debates may remain elitist and exclusionary.
Broader Context
- India ranks among top 10 globally in AI research output (NITI Aayog, 2024), yet bottom in public AI literacy — a paradox of “high innovation, low awareness”.
- Upcoming policies like IndiaAI Mission (₹10,371 crore, 2024) aim to democratize AI access and skill-building — aligning with these findings.
Way Forward
- AI Literacy Campaigns under NEP 2020 and Digital India programs.
- Incorporation of AI awareness modules in school curricula and Skill India.
- Public communication in regional languages via MyGov and BharatGPT initiatives.
- Media collaborations to improve accurate AI coverage and citizen understanding.
