ATTITUDES TOWARDS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PRESENT AND FUTURE WORKFORCE

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping various aspects of contemporary society. This paper investigates the perceptions of AI within the academic community in Serbia, with the goal of understanding these attitudes to support improved application and integration of AI technologies. Understanding such attitudes is essential for exploring new opportunities for AI implementation across society and economy. The study, conducted in 2024, surveyed 194 participants across Serbian cities, including younger and employed students from both humanities and technical-technological fields. Results reveal a generally positive attitude on AI, with its potential to contribute to social development being rated the highest. Concerns regarding ethical use and potential risks are present, yet less pronounced. Younger respondents and those from the field of engineering and technology display significantly more positive attitudes toward AI compared to older respondents or those from the field of social sciences and humanities, as confirmed by a t- test analysis. These findings highlight the importance of targeted education and training to increase understanding and acceptance of AI, which is crucial for its successful integration into Serbia’s social and economic systems. Furthermore, these results suggest that a positively inclined present and future workforce, particularly from technical fields, could foster a more favorable climate for AI-driven innovations in the Serbian economy. Embracing AI in workforce development could thus enhance productivity, attract investment, and support economic growth, underscoring the strategic value of AI literacy across educational domains for Serbia’s economic advancement.