The Youth Research Institute of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium has recently published the findings of a survey examining the use of ChatGPT and other AI tools by young Hungarians. According to the press release by MCC, the survey found that among Hungarians aged 15–29, a narrow majority, 53 per cent have used ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence programmes, while one in ten are using them on a regular basis.

The survey also delved into the youth’s attitude towards AI. It found that the overwhelming majority in the surveyed demographic is of the opinion that it is a useful tool, with 23 per cent answering that it is ‘definitely useful,’ while an additional 66 per cent saying it is ‘rather useful’.

As for the potential for an AI system running rogue and creating harm for humans on its own,

54 per cent of respondents said they are hopeful that AI can be kept under human control.

However, it is interesting to note that exactly the inverse was the case among female responders, with 54 per cent of them saying they fear losing control of AI. Meanwhile, only 37 per cent of men said they are afraid of such a scenario.

In further compartmentalization of the responders, the survey also found that young people living in urban areas are much more likely to have used an AI tool. 71 per cent of those living in the capital city of Budapest claimed they have done so, and 63 per cent of those living in a county seat answered similarly. Meanwhile, only 49 per cent of young inhabitants of small towns have experience with machine learning tools, and in smaller settlements, an even smaller proportion, 42 per cent of young people do.

Additionally, 60 per cent of young people surveyed agree that there is too much discussion about artificial intelligence in public, which suggests that there is substantial ‘information noise’ on the subject in traditional and on social media as well.

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