What will AI do for us? Young adults in lower-income countries feel more positive about its potential – new survey

2026-07-07 · Source: Artificial intelligence (AI) – The Conversation · Field: Science & Research — Social Sciences & Behavioral Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, short

Summary

A new survey of 1,864 young adults (18-35) across ten low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia, alongside the UK, reveals greater optimism about AI's potential compared to Western peers. Conducted by Restless Development and academics from Makerere and Cambridge universities, the 2026 Youth AI Survey found nearly 80% of participants anticipate improved education and learning from AI. Two-thirds use AI daily, primarily Meta AI and Claude, despite significant barriers like high data costs, weak internet, and limited digital skills. While 14% currently earn income from AI, half expect enhanced employment opportunities within five years. Concerns include "Americanised" tools marginalizing local languages like Shona and Luganda, and daily users worrying about data ownership and AI company power. Young women generally express more concern than men, particularly regarding data privacy. Respondents emphasize the need for affordable data, better internet, and culturally relevant, multilingual AI tools, viewing AI safety as a governance issue for governments to regulate.

Key takeaway

For policy makers and AI developers aiming for equitable global AI adoption, you must prioritize investments in affordable digital infrastructure and culturally relevant, multilingual AI tools. Your strategies should address high data costs and weak internet connections, which are major barriers in lower-income countries. Additionally, focus on establishing robust government-led AI regulation and data privacy frameworks, as young people overwhelmingly view AI safety as a governance challenge, not a technical one.

Key insights

Young adults in lower-income countries are optimistic about AI's potential for education and work, despite infrastructure and cultural relevance challenges.

Principles

• AI adoption faces significant infrastructure barriers.
• Local language support is critical for AI relevance.
• AI governance is seen as a government responsibility.

Method

The 2026 Youth AI Survey collected responses from 1,864 young adults (18-35) across 11 countries, using sentiment analysis to gauge attitudes towards AI's impact on work and social lives.

In practice

• Prioritize AI development for local languages.
• Invest in affordable data and internet access.
• Design AI tools for diverse cultural contexts.

Topics

• AI Adoption
• Digital Divide
• AI Governance
• Language Diversity
• Youth Survey
• Economic Opportunity

Best for: Policy Maker, AI Ethicist, Research Scientist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Artificial intelligence (AI) – The Conversation.