Poll Reveals China Leads World in Trusting AI Technology

Published: 19 November 2025 Wednesday . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

China’s public exhibits far higher levels of trust in artificial intelligence than citizens in the United States and other Western nations, according to a comprehensive new survey conducted by Edelman. The findings reveal a striking divergence in attitudes toward AI, with 87 percent of Chinese respondents reporting that they trust the technology, compared with just 32 percent in the United States, 36 percent in the United Kingdom, and 39 percent in Germany. Even Brazil, which has a growing technology sector, lags behind China, with 67 percent of respondents expressing confidence in AI.

The survey, released on Tuesday, also highlighted differences in expectations for AI’s potential to address pressing societal challenges. In China, more than seven in ten respondents believe that AI will play a key role in tackling issues such as climate change, mental health crises, poverty, and societal polarization. In contrast, only a third of Americans expected AI to have a meaningful impact on reducing poverty and social divisions, though about half anticipated some positive contribution to mitigating climate-related challenges. This disparity reflects a broader cultural and institutional gap in perceptions of technology’s reliability and potential.

The research also found that Chinese citizens are generally more open to adopting AI in their daily lives. Fifty-four percent of Chinese respondents expressed an enthusiastic embrace of the technology, compared with just 17 percent of Americans. This willingness to integrate AI reflects not only trust in the tools themselves but also confidence in the regulatory frameworks, corporate responsibility, and governmental policies that shape AI deployment within China. In contrast, the lower acceptance rates in Western countries may reflect skepticism about corporate motives, fears of data misuse, and concerns over AI’s societal impacts, from employment disruption to bias in algorithmic decision-making.

Age played a significant role in shaping opinions about AI across all surveyed nations. Younger populations were consistently more trusting of AI than older generations, though even this demographic gap underscored the contrast between China and the West. Among Chinese respondents aged 18 to 34, 88 percent expressed confidence in AI, compared with 40 percent of Americans in the same age range. Experts suggest that this generational pattern is driven by digital literacy, exposure to AI technologies from an early age, and broader societal narratives around innovation and modernization.

Edelman’s Senior Vice President, Gray Grossman, emphasized the implications of these findings for both policymakers and businesses. “For businesses and policymakers, this divergence presents a double challenge. In high-trust markets, the task is to sustain optimism through responsible deployment and straightforward evidence of benefit. In low-trust markets, the task is to rebuild confidence in the institutions behind the technology,” Grossman said. The statement highlights the nuanced strategies required in different regions: promoting adoption where trust is high, while addressing ethical, regulatory, and transparency concerns where skepticism persists.

China’s leading position in public trust toward AI comes amid the country’s broader ambition to achieve global leadership in technology. The government has heavily invested in AI research and development, supporting both public institutions and private companies. Strategic initiatives emphasize the use of AI in sectors ranging from healthcare and transportation to environmental monitoring and public safety. These initiatives, coupled with widespread government communication and high-profile AI applications in everyday life, likely contribute to the strong public confidence observed in the survey.

By contrast, public skepticism in Western nations reflects multiple factors, including high-profile controversies over data privacy, ethical concerns about AI algorithms, and apprehension about job displacement. The United States, for example, has witnessed intense debates over the role of AI in social media, law enforcement, and hiring practices, fueling perceptions that AI can be intrusive or unfair. European countries, meanwhile, have taken a cautious regulatory approach, with frameworks such as the EU AI Act seeking to balance innovation with safety and accountability. While these efforts aim to protect citizens, they may also signal caution, contributing to lower public trust levels.

The survey’s findings coincide with intensifying global competition between the United States and China in AI development. Both countries are racing to deploy increasingly sophisticated AI systems, from large language models and autonomous vehicles to advanced robotics and data-driven analytics. China’s public support may provide a strategic advantage, as widespread acceptance facilitates faster integration of AI into both commercial and government applications. In contrast, Western nations must navigate a more cautious environment, balancing innovation with public concerns and legal safeguards.

Education and media narratives appear to play a key role in shaping public perceptions of AI. In China, mainstream media and government communications often highlight AI’s potential benefits, emphasizing innovation, productivity, and social improvement. In Western countries, media coverage tends to be more critical, spotlighting ethical dilemmas, high-profile failures, and controversial applications. These differing narratives influence how the public perceives AI’s risks and benefits and contribute to the substantial gap in trust levels.

Despite the strong trust observed in China, experts caution that confidence alone does not guarantee responsible or effective AI deployment. Ethical oversight, transparency, and accountability remain essential to ensure that AI systems serve societal interests. Scholars and technologists argue that sustained public trust depends on continued evidence of AI’s positive impacts, robust regulatory frameworks, and clear mechanisms for addressing errors, misuse, and unintended consequences.

The survey also has significant implications for multinational companies developing AI technologies. For firms operating across borders, the divergence in public trust requires tailored strategies. In China, companies may focus on accelerating adoption, developing high-visibility AI applications, and emphasizing social benefits to leverage strong consumer confidence. In Western markets, the focus may shift to transparency, ethical compliance, and public engagement to rebuild confidence and facilitate adoption.

Looking ahead, the survey suggests that global perceptions of AI are likely to remain heterogeneous. High-trust markets such as China may lead in rapid deployment and integration, potentially shaping the global AI landscape. Meanwhile, lower-trust markets may pursue more cautious approaches, emphasizing regulation, public consultation, and ethical frameworks to ensure AI’s responsible use. This divergence could influence international collaborations, investment flows, and technology standards, with profound implications for the future of AI governance.

The Edelman survey underscores that AI is no longer just a technological issue; it is a societal one. Trust in AI is intertwined with confidence in institutions, corporate responsibility, regulatory frameworks, and cultural attitudes toward innovation. While China currently demonstrates the highest public trust, Western nations face the challenge of rebuilding confidence while balancing innovation, safety, and ethical considerations.

For policymakers, the results highlight the urgency of addressing public concerns and demonstrating tangible benefits of AI. For businesses, the survey emphasizes the importance of responsible deployment and clear communication about AI’s role in society. In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, understanding public sentiment is critical to shaping the future of AI adoption and ensuring that these systems contribute positively to economic growth, social well-being, and global development.

The survey’s findings arrive at a pivotal moment in the AI landscape, as nations prepare for further advancements in generative AI, autonomous systems, and machine learning applications. China’s high levels of public trust could accelerate domestic AI projects and enhance the country’s position in the global technology hierarchy. Meanwhile, Western nations must navigate a complex path, addressing skepticism, reinforcing regulatory safeguards, and fostering public engagement to ensure AI adoption is responsible, ethical, and widely accepted.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, education, climate monitoring, and public infrastructure, the global disparity in trust underscores a critical challenge: ensuring that all societies can harness AI’s benefits while mitigating its risks. The Edelman survey offers a clear snapshot of the current global landscape, revealing the opportunities and challenges ahead as nations strive to balance innovation, ethics, and public confidence in artificial intelligence.