Deep Insights into AI perception in Croatia

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a new concept, but its wide recognition within the general population has started only recently, with publication of Open AI LLM platform ChatGPT, and has ever since intrigued public in terms of its influence on human life in general, and primarily its repercussions on labour market and the future of jobs. Fully aware of its capabilities and huge impact on everyday life, and despite of AI infodemic, we notice an imbalanced approach in public space favouring only the positive aspects of the use of AI. AI will definitely mark our future, and its responsible development and use can contribute significantly to the advancement of many areas of life. However, irresponsible development and use can cause unfathomable damage to humanity. The risks it can impose in terms of biased and untransparent algorithms, privacy violation concerns, cybersecurity issues, disinformation and deep fakes creation and dissemination, to name just a few. The aim of the article is to provide a balanced view of both advantages and disadvantages of the use of AI, particularly in the light of the super-election 2024 and the accompanying risks in the form of information disorders and consequences they might have on world democracy and stability. Furthermore, the aim of this national research is to provide a deeper insight into the perception of AI within the Croatian population. Scientific and professional methodology was used to define and monitor key indicators of AI perception and search for corresponding correlations.