Majority of Romans express distrust towards AI functioning independently, according to poll results
In a recent survey conducted by RoCoach in partnership with Novel Research, it was revealed that the majority of Romanians are wary of artificial intelligence (AI) making important decisions without human intervention, particularly in sensitive areas such as education, healthcare, justice, public administration, and finance. The survey, which polled 800 urban residents aged between 18 and 64, all professionally active and internet users, found that 62.4% of respondents believe the use of AI in these areas should be strictly governed by law.
The survey results indicate that Romanians are not ready to entrust important decisions to artificial intelligence without human oversight. In fact, only 20.2% of respondents are in favor of fully autonomous professional assessments made by AI. This reservation towards automated decision-making is driving increased demand for regulation in Romania.
Data privacy concerns are widespread, with nearly 70% of respondents expressing worry about how AI may access and use their personal information. These concerns cut across all segments of the Romanian population, regardless of age, education, or occupation. Among 18-24-year-olds, considered digital natives, 71% expressed concern about their personal data.
The study's findings suggest that Romanians are not rejecting AI as a technology but demanding an ethical, supervised, and regulated framework for its use. More than two-thirds of respondents would accept AI involvement only if accompanied by human analysis, while 27.2% reject the idea entirely. The survey also revealed that most Romanians prefer to interact with a real person rather than a chatbot or other automated system when seeking support from a company or public institution.
In response to these concerns, Romania has taken steps to establish a national AI strategy and set up regulatory structures to implement the EU AI Act. Since July 2024, Romania is preparing to create a dedicated AI Regulatory Authority responsible for overseeing AI compliance. Under the EU AI Act framework, Romania must designate three types of authorities:
- A Market Surveillance Authority to ensure AI products comply with EU laws. - A Notifying Authority to manage conformity assessments and certify AI systems. - A National Public Authority tasked with enforcing fundamental rights protections, particularly for high-risk AI systems.
These authorities are designed to function independently and impartially, equipped with adequate resources to enforce regulations effectively.
The EU AI Act, which forms the core of future AI regulation, aims to regulate AI use across member states, with particular focus on human oversight, transparency, and risk management. It mandates strict compliance for AI systems deemed high-risk, including those used in critical sectors. The EU's strategy ensures that national authorities cooperate and share expertise to enforce the law consistently across the Union.
In conclusion, Romania aligns closely with EU-wide regulatory trends emphasizing human oversight, transparency, and protection of fundamental rights in AI deployment. Public opinion in Romania strongly supports these principles, fueling calls for robust AI governance both nationally and across Europe. Mihai Stănescu, founder of RoCoach, states that the population is increasingly aware of digital risks and attentive to how their personal data is handled. Marian Marcu, Managing Partner at Novel Research, suggests that building trust through transparency, regulation, and dialogue is necessary for AI to become part of everyday life.
Technology, in light of the survey findings, is not being rejected by Romanians, but there is a clear demand for an ethical, supervised, and regulated framework for its use, particularly in sensitive areas. Over 70% of respondents prefer human analysis to accompany AI involvement, and nearly three-quarters of Romanians would rather interact with a real person than a chatbot or other automated system. This increased call for regulation is driven by data privacy concerns, with nearly 70% of respondents expressing worry about AI accessing and using their personal information.
