“There Are Risks, but I Will Use It Anyway”: Predicting the Urge to Regulate and the Intended Use of Generative AI Among Youth in Four Countries

Abstract

Generative AI is rapidly evolving, yet our understanding of how the public assesses and evaluates this technology remains limited. This is particularly true for youths who traditionally are early adopters of new technologies. Our study investigates how sociodemographic variables as well as risk perceptions influence youths′ future urge to regulate as well as their future intention to use generative AI in Indonesia, Austria, Serbia, and Hong Kong (China). Using quota-based survey data, we find a limited explanatory value of sociodemographic variables. Interestingly, our findings suggest that information-related risks cannot increase the urge to regulate as well as dampen the intended use among youth. However, perceived social risks unequivocally explain the urge to regulate across countries. Also, the effect of perceived social risks on the urge to regulate is reduced with rising levels of prior use of generative AI. By and large, findings suggest that young individuals perceive risks, but that does not necessarily dampen their own willingness to use generative AI. Implications are discussed. This study is among the first to offer cross-cultural insights into how youth across both European and Asian contexts perceive and engage with generative AI.