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The report “Artificial Intelligence in Switzerland 2024”, which was published in November 2024, examines how the current technological developments in “Artificial Intelligence”, specifically generative AI based on large language models (e.g., tools like ChatGPT), have been integrated into the daily lives of the Swiss and what they think about them.
Rapid diffusion: Within a year and a half of launch, AI tools are known across Switzerland, with half the population and nearly all of the young using them
Nearly all Swiss internet users (98%) have heard of AI tools, a figure that has increased since 2023 (79%). Half of Swiss internet users (54%) have already used AI tools. Among the youngest age group, nearly everyone (93%) has tried AI tools, with 43% using them frequently. In contrast, in the oldest age group, only 8% use them frequently, while almost three-quarters (72%) have never used them. The use of AI tools has risen by 17 percentage points since mid-2023 (2024: 54%, 2023: 37%).
Digital inequalities in the Swiss society by age and education are amplified by Artificial Intelligence
Knowledge of AI tools is significantly higher among younger age groups (61% among the youngest vs. 7% among the oldest). Younger individuals are also much more likely to be AI users (ages 16–29: 93%, ages 70+: 24%). Additionally, the proportion of users rises sharply with increasing levels of educational attainment (low: 37%, medium: 42%, high: 70%).
Early signs of saturation; Incorrect information from AI tools is the main reason for non-use
There appears to be a certain level of saturation in the adoption of AI tools: 77% of current non-users consider it (very) unlikely that they will use AI tools in the next six months. The most common reason for non-use is that "generative AI often produces incorrect information" (mean = 4.01). An almost equally important reason is that AI tools have little relevance to the daily lives of respondents (mean = 3.93).
Half of Swiss internet users are skeptical about children using AI tools; AI users, younger people, and men view it more positively
Half (54%) of Swiss internet users aged 16 and older believe that children should not have access to AI tools. A third (33%) support access, and 13% are undecided. Younger individuals, men, and AI users are more likely to support children using AI tools.
The results are available in the report and the news release in German and English. The English version of the report will be published soon.
The survey was conducted by the Media Change & Innovation division of the Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ) at the University of Zurich, led by Prof. Michael Latzer, in collaboration with the Swiss Radio and Television Corporation (SRG). The results are based on a representative online survey of 1,000 internet users aged 16 and older, carried out by gfs.bern in May/June 2024. Noemi Festic was part of the project team.
