AI has boomed over the past few years. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, has taken the world by storm. It increasingly finds its way into many aspects of daily life, from piloting self-driving cars to analysing data. But this has left many people worried about a potential AI takeover.
An AI takeover is a scenario where AI becomes the most dominant form of intelligence on Earth, which can have worrying implications, from automation to copyright infringement and data security risks.
But which country is best equipped to resist the rise of the robot overlords? The experts at Slingo have dived into the data, looking at population age and density, the proportion of internet users, cyber security laws and cyber security and disaster risk index scores.
We’ve also looked at Google searches worldwide to find out which countries are the most concerned about the rise of AI.
The countries best equipped for an AI takeover
1. France - AI Survival Score: 7.10/10
France can be crowned the best-equipped country for an AI takeover, scoring 7.10 out of 10. The nation has the most cyber security legislation, with 11 laws, ranking first for the factor. This means it has a legal framework that can swiftly deal with problematic AI that could lead to a takeover.
France also shares fifth place in terms of its proportion of people using the internet at only 85%. This makes the country less at risk of rogue AI using the internet to hack computers and spread itself throughout the country.
The more we rely on AI, the greater its chance to take control. So automation, especially when it comes to jobs, is one of the key features of the AI takeover. France ranks just outside the top five for non-AI jobs at 108 per 100,000 people, making it relatively safe from automation.
2. Canada - AI Survival Score: 7.05/10
Up next is Canada, with the North American nation scoring 7.05 out of 10 overall. The country ranks highly for population density at only four people per square kilometre, making it less vulnerable than crowded locations if vital infrastructure was affected by an AI takeover.
Canada also has a high number of cyber security laws at 10, taking second place for the factor, and takes fifth place for non-AI jobs at 140 per 100,000 people, making it relatively safe from automation.
3. United States AI Survival Score: 6.91/10
Rounding out the top three is the United States. The US ranks highly for several factors, taking the top spot for its cyber security index score of 100 out of 100. This means the country is well-equipped to deal with any malicious cyber attacks by AI, as it has plans to combat any online threats before they arise.
The nation also ranks highly for its proportion of non-AI jobs. At 208 jobs per 100,000 people, it takes second place for the factor. The United States also takes third place for its number of cyber security laws, with nine.
The countries worst equipped for an AI takeover
1. South Korea - AI Survival Score: 3.09/10
With the highest population density on the list of 530 people per square kilometre, it's no surprise South Korea is the worst equipped for an AI takeover. The East Asian nation also ranks last for its number of cybersecurity laws, with just two, and places second-last for its proportion of jobs safe from automation, with only two per 100,000 people.
2. Switzerland - AI Survival Score: 3.14/10
In second place is Switzerland, with an AI survival score of 3.14 out of 10. The country has the third lowest proportion of people aged 15 to 59 (56%), the age range more likely to be aware of the potential threats of AI. This puts the population more at risk of an AI takeover. Switzerland also shares the fewest cybersecurity laws with South Korea, with only two.
3. New Zealand - AI Survival Score: 3.38/10
New Zealand completes the top three worst-equipped countries for an AI takeover, scoring a mere 3.38 out of 10. The country has the lowest proportion of people aged 15 to 59 at 54% and ranks in the bottom five for its percentage of internet users at 96%. New Zealand also ranks in the bottom three for its number of cyber security laws, with only 4.
The best countries for…
Population density - Australia (3 people per square kilometre)
Australia is the most sparsely populated nation on the list. With only three people per square kilometre, it’s the perfect location to avoid an AI takeover. People are more likely to live off-grid, away from cities and infrastructure, which an AI takeover could shut down and cause chaos. The country’s population density is so low thanks to the vast arid desert that takes up much of its centre, making it difficult to inhabit.
Percentage of population aged 15-59 - Costa Rica (63.19%)
Having a higher population of people aged 15 to 59 means a country is safer from an AI takeover, as this age group is more likely to understand the risks posed by AI and how to combat them than older adults and children. Costa Rica has the highest proportion of this age group at 65%.
World Risk Index score - Luxembourg (0.52 out of 100)
Luxembourg takes the top spot as the country least exposed and vulnerable to disasters, scoring just 0.52 out of 100. When it comes to an AI takeover, the country is highly prepared for the disasters it might cause, such as the damage done if a rogue AI interfered with its infrastructure to cause natural disasters like flooding or droughts.
Percentage of internet users - Colombia (73%)
Colombia has the lowest rate of internet users, at only 73% of the population. The high cost of internet usage in Colombia makes it difficult for those living in rural areas to access it. This lack of internet access means AI has less chance to spread itself through the internet, and fewer people are affected directly if this happens, making an AI takeover less likely.
Cyber Security Index score - United States (100 out of 100)
Strong cybersecurity defences against an AI attack are vital for surviving an AI takeover and protecting crucial networks from malicious attacks. Countries can fend off an AI takeover by giving organisations clear responsibilities to counter potential threats and have measures in place to monitor AI for a possible takeover. The US tops the list for its cybersecurity index score, with a perfect 100 out of 100, making the country more likely to fend off an AI takeover.
Number of cybersecurity laws - France (11)
France has the most cybersecurity legislation on the list, with 11 laws. Over the last few years, most French organisations have been the victim of cyber attacks, leading the French government to impose strict requirements on digital service providers. This makes measures to protect their information and manage security systems mandatory. This legislation could help prevent an AI takeover by making vital computer systems harder for AI to access.
Non-AI jobs - Japan (465 per 100,000 people)
Despite its reputation as one of the world’s most technologically advanced countries, Japan has the highest proportion of jobs safe from AI. Job automation is a key feature of the AI takeover. This would leave many unemployed, which could have disastrous effects on a country’s economy and political instability.
Recently, the Japanese government announced plans to set up an AI safety institute to assess AI companies, with one of the key principles being human-centeredness.
The countries most concerned about AI
1. Sweden - 6,420 searches per 100,000 people
Sweden tops the list of countries most concerned about AI, with 6,420 searches per 100,000 people for “AI” and “AI takeover”. According to a recent survey, 18% of Swedes are concerned that AI could cause job losses and an increased risk of fraud. The Swedish public is also worried that AI could lead to decreased intelligence.
2. The Netherlands - 5,867 searches per 100,000 people
Up next is the Netherlands, with 5,867 searches per 100,000 people over the last 12 months. It’s no surprise that the nation is wary of AI after a 2019 scandal revealed Dutch tax authorities had used a faulty algorithm to attempt to spot benefit fraud. This led to thousands of innocent people being wrongly accused of fraud, mostly from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds.
3. Norway - 5,723 searches per 100,000 people
In third place is Norway. According to recent reports, Norwegians are concerned about AI discriminating against minority groups, which can be very dangerous if an AI is trained on data without proper safeguarding measures. The country had 5,723 searches per 100,000 people for “AI” and “AI takeover” over the last 12 months.
Methodology
Beginning with a list of OECD countries, we analysed each one on the following factors. We then gave each OECD country for which data was available a normalised score out of ten for each factor before taking an average across each of these scores to reach our final overall score out of ten.
Population Density
The total number of people in each country per square kilometre of land area in 2021, according to The World Bank.
Percentage of Population Aged 15-59
The proportion of the population in each country between the ages of 15 and 59 in 2021, according to the OECD.
World Risk Index Score
The WorldRiskIndex score for each country In 2022, according to WorldRiskReport.
Percentage of Internet Users
The proportion of the population in each country using the internet in 2022, according to The World Bank.
Cyber Security Index Score
The Cyber Security Index Score for each country in 2020, according to ITU.
Number of Cyber Security Laws
The total number of cyber security laws in each country, according to CSIS.
Number of Non-AI jobs per 100,000 people
The total number of job postings on Indeed in each country for jobs least likely to be taken over by AI is taken from The World Economic Forum per 100,000 people.
Google Searches
The total number of Google searches for “AI” and “AI takeover” in each country from March 2023 to February 2024, according to Google Ads’ Keyword Planner.
Populations
The total population of each country in 2022, according to The World Bank.
All data is correct as of 27/03/2024.
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