Attitudes, experiences, and usage intentions of artificial intelligence: A population study in Germany

• The German population has favorable attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI). • AI applications in healthcare are rated more positive than AI in the workplace. • Cognitive evaluations of AI are more positive than emotional appraisals. • Prior experiences with AI in Germany are limited. • Demographic differences are generally small. Artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly affects individuals’ private and professional lives. Importantly, both the acceptance and adoption of new AI technologies in society is heavily impacted by the attitudes that people hold; yet, there is currently limited information on how people perceive and intend to use AI at the national and demographic levels. Therefore, this study examined a random sample of 1,098 German adults to assess their attitudes, experiences, and usage intentions regarding AI in work, healthcare, and education. The findings indicated that respondents generally held favorable attitudes towards AI, with AI applications in healthcare receiving more positive evaluations than AI in the context of work. Moreover, cognitive evaluations of AI were more positive than emotional or behavioral appraisals. Prior experiences with AI were, however, limited, particularly in healthcare and education. Demographic differences were generally small. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that, in Germany, AI is currently widely accepted in different domains, although most people have little first-hand experience with it. These insights can inform policymakers and stakeholders who care about the proliferation of AI in society.