Navigating Generative AI: Insights from Alteryx’s 2024 Research

New research from Alteryx uncovers 78% of businesses say Generative AI adds value, but 42% of the general public are fearful about its future

Alteryx, Inc., a leading AI enterprise analytics provider, unveils insights from its 2024 research on Generative AI (genAI) awareness and sentiment. With findings from 2,000 global IT leaders and 3,000 members of the general public, the report delves into perceptions and challenges shaping the genAI landscape.

1. Perceptions Divide: Business vs. Public:
   • While 78% of organizations see genAI as valuable, 46% of the public express skepticism, with 42% fearing its future.
2. Usage and Sentiment Parallels:
   • Similar genAI usage: 58% of the public search with genAI, while 43% of businesses utilize it for data analysis.
   • Positive sentiment (76%) towards genAI in content creation, tempered by 44% advocating for regulation.
3. Contentious Applications:
   • Disagreement on restricted areas: 47% of the public oppose genAI in politics, while 39% of businesses resist its use in healthcare decisions.
4. Trust Concerns:
   • AI hallucinations erode trust: 65% of business leaders and 73% of the public share distrust due to erroneous outputs.
5. Scaling Challenges:
   • Despite successful pilots (77%), challenges in scaling persist, including data privacy, security (41%), and a lack of ethical use guidelines (38%).
   • Talent shortage: 29% cite skills gap hindering genAI adoption, with 19% lacking mandatory AI training.
6. Impact on Jobs and Future Investments:
   • Job displacement fears: 65% of businesses anticipate role replacement, contrasting with 35% of the public predicting job losses.
   • Investment outlook: 62% of businesses plan increased genAI investments.
7. Concerns and Misinformation:
   • Public apprehension: 42% fear genAI misuse by hackers, and 38% foresee fake news proliferation.
   • Misinformation challenges: Businesses report misinformation (48%) and copyright infringements (39%), while the public notes inaccuracies (53%) and outdated information (39%).
8. Path to Ethical GenAI:
   • Trevor Schulze emphasizes data literacy and ethical considerations, advocating for self-service platforms to ensure trustworthy genAI outcomes.

Alteryx’s research underscores the evolving landscape of genAI, revealing nuanced perceptions and challenges. As businesses navigate ethical, security, and talent concerns, fostering trust and data literacy becomes paramount for unlocking genAI’s potential while ensuring ethical and reliable outcomes.