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According to a representative study, around one in three Germans fears a threat to society from AI. The concerns are greater in East Germany than in the West. But it’s not just the “normal” population that is worried – experts also see dangers in view of the rapid development of AI. A commentary analysis.
Fear that AI endangers society
- The R+V Info Center has been operating under the title for more than three decades “The Fears of the Germans” Annual interviews with around 2,400 women and men. The numbers listed here refer to the survey from May 12 to July 22, 2025.
- In eastern Germany, 36 percent are very afraid that AI will endanger society – for example disinformationwhich can influence people in entirely new ways. In West Germany it is 31 percent.
- Individual risks also play an important role. 30 percent of the German-speaking population living in the East fears that their… Data is misused on the Internet – in the West it is 24 percent.
Anchored in evolution: fear of new things
The fear of new things is anchored in evolution. New things often promote uncertainty and quickly pose a potential danger because we don’t know it (enough) yet. We feel threatened – by the unknown. But there is also irrationality in it.
But if even a recognized AI expert like Geoffrey Hinton talks about it“that the probability of AI destroying us is 10 to 20 percent,” we have to be at least skeptical, right?
On the other hand, he also hopes that “enough smart minds with sufficient resources will conduct sufficient research to find a way [KI] to develop in such a way that it never wants to harm us.” They are the famous two sides of the coin.
“Change can frighten people because it disrupts our sense of knowing who we are,” says Sherry Turkle, MIT professor of science, technology and society, in the book “Reclaiming Conversation.” Yes, innovations can upset the balance of what is familiar and well-established. The only question is: how do we deal with it?
Voices
- Grischa Brower-Rabinowitsch, head of the R+V studysums it up Survey results together: “A remarkable proportion of Germans are watching the rapid development of artificial intelligence with concern. Almost one in three are very afraid that artificial intelligence is endangering our society, [und] “People are afraid that they will lose control of their personal data and become victims of cybercriminals.”
- Christian Schröter, technology philosopher specializing in the theory and history of AI, classifies fear historically: “Technological developments have always been accompanied by concern, fear and skepticism. When railways became widespread in the mid-19th century, many people – even in science – were afraid that the enormous speeds at which they would travel would drive people crazy.”
- Geoffrey Hinton, Nobel Prize winner and “Godfather of AI”about the Development of technology: “Because right now, most experts in the field believe that at some point, probably within the next 20 years, we will develop AI that is smarter than humans. And that’s a very worrying thought.”
Why fear of AI is important
Fear is a natural mechanism that can protect us from danger. In many cases the causality is clear: If I walk on the busy highway now, there is a high chance that I will be injured – I am afraid of the consequences of a possible accident and therefore am cautious.
When it comes to technology – and especially artificial intelligence – things are different. Maybe AI will change my job at some point. I might fall for a deepfake and become a phishing victim. Or much more fundamentally: What is AI actually and in which areas is it already active?
AI is like a blind spot – and at the same time huge and fast. It feels like she continues to develop every day. Where will we be in five years? Even industry experts fail to answer this question. From this point of view, it is only logical that our inherent fear of new things reacts to the potential loss of control.
As is so often the case, the only solution is transparency and regulation, but this is usually accompanied by a loss of power and financial losses. And isn’t that where our fear comes from? Are we really afraid of AI or what humans do with it? In this context, fear becomes the most important companion – in recognizing and containing technological misuse.
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- The myth of the heating law: abolishing it would harm Germany
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As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that the fear of AI is a good guide because it forces us to carefully consider the ethical implications and potential dangers associated with the development and implementation of artificial intelligence. By acknowledging and addressing these fears, we can work towards creating AI systems that prioritize safety, transparency, and accountability.
Additionally, the fear of AI can serve as a catalyst for meaningful discussions and debates surrounding the impact of AI on society, employment, privacy, and other important issues. It can push us to think critically about how AI should be regulated and governed to ensure that it benefits humanity as a whole.
Ultimately, the fear of AI can drive us to approach its development with caution and responsibility, leading to the creation of ethical and beneficial AI technologies that enhance our lives without compromising our values and well-being.
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