Complex Generation Gap
The generational gap in AI adoption emerges in various aspects. In addition to lower ethical awareness, younger employees are also more anxious about the consequences of AI: 48 percent of professionals under 35 are afraid of losing their jobs due to the rapid development of AI, compared to 39 percent of those aged 55 and older. This paradox – more enthusiasm for AI, but at the same time more job anxiety and less ethical awareness – illustrates the complex attitude of young people towards artificial intelligence.
Cautious Adoption, Ethical Gap
Despite the enthusiasm for AI, Dutch organizations are pragmatic and cautious. For instance, 42 percent find AI decisions more reliable than human decisions, which means that the majority (58%) still prefers human judgment. One third of organizations (30%) do not take reckless risks and always conduct thorough risk assessments before initiating AI initiatives.
Lack of Ethical Awareness
This cautious attitude, however, stands in stark contrast to the limited attention given to ethical aspects. While almost half of the organizations do not take ethical principles into account when using AI, even fewer organizations (25%) consider the societal impact of their AI applications. This lack of ethical awareness becomes particularly relevant now that the EU AI Act requires organizations to handle AI responsibly. At the same time, the research shows an interesting contradiction: while 51 percent believe that AI should be regulated more strictly, 44 percent think that AI can never be fully ethically justified, regardless of what rules or guidelines exist.
Communication Lags Behind
Despite all the significant changes, communication remains a weak point. While 49 percent indicate that the impact of AI on jobs and roles is openly discussed, only 52 percent believe that the organization's AI vision is clearly communicated to employees.
Tomas van den Nieuwendijk, Director Conclusion AI 360: "Younger professionals embrace new AI applications more quickly, but pay less attention to ethical aspects and regulations. Older employees are more cautious but are better able to navigate the complex landscape of laws and regulations. This calls for a smart approach, where organizations combine the different strengths of generations. Younger employees can, for example, act as innovation ambassadors, while older professionals bring valuable experience in risk management and governance."
