Danes' support for AI in their interactions with the public sector depends on how often they use AI - and to a lesser extent on their age

One of the tasks that both parliamentary and municipal politicians will face during the next term of office is making decisions about the regulation and implementation of AI in the public sector. A third of Danes would let an AI make an instant decision on whether they can get a building permit. In comparison, a fifth of Danes would use AI to give a diagnosis and let AI disenrolled a prescription for them. Men are generally more willing than women to replace doctor visits with AI. The results indicate that implementing and regulating AI in the public sector will be a key political task in the coming term of office. We should be cautious about implementing 'one size fits all' solutions for AI in the public sector.

Young and old Danes are equally (un)willing to use AI-based tools in the public sector

The researchers behind the report cannot detect clear differences between generations when it comes to their support for AI in the public sector. Generation Z (18-29 years old) scores slightly higher on wanting to use personal assistants, but are no more willing to use other types of AI-based tools in the public sector. Artificial intelligence in the public sector is not meeting a demand for modern technology from young people.

Artificial intelligence can be used as a support tool, but should not make final decisions

Danes agree that artificial intelligence can be more competent than humans for some tasks, such as issuing speeding tickets or having an overview of new treatment methods in medicine. However, Danes believe that the final decision should still be made by a human. In general, Danes think it's okay for artificial intelligence to be used as a support tool, but not to make decisions or decide cases.

Men are more willing than women to replace a visit to the doctor with artificial intelligence

Men score particularly high compared to women when it comes to being willing to replace a doctor's visit with an AI-based tool. A fifth of men (21%) say they would use a feature where artificial intelligence would give them an instant diagnosis and automatically disenrolled medication without a human being involved in the decision. The same is true for only 16% of women.

1 in 5 Danes feel unsure they can keep up with technological developments in the next five years

In light of the fact that more services in Danish society are transitioning to digital solutions (digital travel card, phasing out the 1000-krone banknote and new digital ID services from the EU) and that artificial intelligence will only become more widespread in society, researchers asked Danes whether they feel confident that they can keep up with technological developments in the next 5, 10 and 20 years. Almost a fifth (19%) of Danes answered that they feel uncertain that they can keep up with developments in just the next five years.

The Digital Democracy Centre's report is based on a survey conducted by Epinion among 1300 Danes, representative of the Danish population by age, gender and region. It was prepared by Therese Waalen Sandberg, Arjen van Dalen and Claes Holger de Vreese.