As artificial intelligence continues to become an integral member of workplaces, it seems people are no longer only interested in having the technology as fellow employees to be deployed at will. Many people are beginning to consider the possibility of having AI as their boss with as many as 40 per cent of young people surveyed in Africa believing that the technology will make a better boss than humans.
This was revealed in the report of a survey carried out by global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, Kaspersky. According to the report, the survey respondents believe that AI would make a fairer boss than humans because of its impartiality.
The number of people who would rather have artificial intelligence bosses is even higher in South Africa where 42 per cent prefer the technology as their manager rather than humans. In the global survey, 34 per cent of respondents believe it can be a better boss than a human being.
The survey titled ‘Excitement, Superstition and Great Insecurity – How Global Consumers Engage with the Digital World’ also found that today artificial intelligence is taking on new roles in fields where it can succeed and be trusted by humans.
Artificial intelligence exploded into the scene with ChatGPT. Considered one of the world’s most popular chatbots, it garnered 153 million visits in the first month after its launch in November 2022 and peaked at 2 billion visits in April 2024.
“In light of the rapid advancements in AI, Kaspersky has conducted an in-depth study to explore current levels of confidence in AI. The study examines its roles from management positions in the workplace to assisting with significant life decisions. According to the study, respondents see AI as their team member at work, and a manager,” the report reads.
A large portion of respondents admit that artificial intelligence has capabilities in creative areas with 62 per cent globally, 59 per cent in the META region and 5 per cent in South Africa believing AI is a credible producer of works of art.
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According to the report, Another area where artificial intelligence can play an active role is education. 47 per cent of respondents globally, 60 per cent in the META region and 68 per cent in South Africa foresee children being taught through virtual experience and Metaverses in the near future.
Many respondents also consider AI a reliable companion and an assistant in everyday life. Globally, more than half of respondents (57 per cent), 67 per cent in the META region and 60 per cent in South Africa would like to use the technology to run their daily lives more efficiently.
48 per cent of the global survey, 60 per cent in the META region and 56 per cent in South Africa are ready to use an AI chatbot to have conversations online. 31, 38 and 33 per cent respectively believe it would help them to find the right partner on a dating app. In fact, 48 per cent globally, 58 per cent in the META region and 63 per cent in South Africa believe that human relationships will change because of the impact of the technology if virtual characters start replacing real-life partners.
Overall, the report also noted that Half (50 per cent) of all consumers globally, 53 per cent in the META region and 64 per cent in South Africa believe that artificial intelligence has already become an unavoidable part of their lives with many of them having a positive outlook on its potential to bring about many exciting opportunities and improve the future for everyone.
Speaking about the growing adoption and general proliferation of advanced technology, Machine Learning Technology Research Group Manager at Kaspersky, Vladislav Tushkanov, said:
“We are witnessing the growing adoption of AI as a valuable tool, assisting people in diverse areas. Beyond traditional applications, such as processing and analysing data, AI is being entrusted with more intriguing personal roles, including romance, education, and work. As AI technologies continue to evolve, their potential to drive innovation and improve human experiences becomes even more profound.”
He, however, pointed out that this advancement also brings unexpected risks and sophisticated threats, ranging from overreliance — putting too much trust in AI advice — to AI-generated phishing, deepfakes and identity theft.
“These are the challenges that we need to address across multiple levels,” he said.
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