The use of generative AI (artificial intelligence) is growing among Indians. Microsoft revealed the results of its ninth edition of the Global Online Safety Survey, which provides insight into the usage of generative AI. The survey states that 65 percent of Indians have utilised generative AI, which is more than twice as high as the global average of 31 per cent for the same time.

It is interesting to note that the majority of Indians use AI for translation, question answering, increasing workplace productivity, and even support for schoolwork. In comparison to 2023, Indian parents are also showing more awareness.

The survey was carried out between July 19 and August 9 last year, using a web poll to collect data from 14,800 teenagers, parents of children aged 6 to 17, and other adults in 15 different countries. The survey demonstrates the increasing impact of AI in India. But when it comes to deepfakes, scams, online abuse, and AI hallucinations, Indian people are a little wary of AI.

In terms of AI adoption, the survey states that millennials (those between the ages of 25 and 44) are at the top with 84 per cent utilisation, up 15 percent from 2023. The weekly utilisation of generative AI also increased by 20 per cent to 71 percent.

Meanwhile, sixty-two percent of respondents feel very familiar with the technology, which is 19 percent more than the previous year. Translation tools rank at 69 percent of use cases, followed by question answering at 67 percent, workplace productivity at 66 percent, and helping children with their school work at 64 per cent.

Concerns about artificial intelligence are most prevalent when it comes to online abuse (76 percent) and deepfakes (74 percent), scams (73 percent), and AI hallucinations (70 per cent). The study found that more than 80 percent of participants expressed concern regarding the use of AI by minors under the age of 18.

The survey emphasises how Indian parents are extremely conscious of and ready to handle the threats that their teenagers confront when using the internet. Up to 78 per cent of parents said their kids have faced these difficulties, and 61 per cent of them feel comfortable talking about them, compared to 41 per cent worldwide. Additionally, it showed that 82 per cent of Indian teenagers said they had encountered risks when using the internet.

Moreover, teens appear to be taking the initiative to manage the threats they face online. Eighty-four percent said they block or unfriend accounts, 65 per cent reported the problem, and 85 per cent said they talk to someone (usually their parents) in response to such risks.

Indian teenagers primarily turn to their parents for assistance when coping with internet threats, even with tools like blocking and muting.