The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Flash Poll finds that global attitudes toward artificial intelligence sit at a pivotal moment, with enthusiasm limited by widening divides across geography, income, age, and industry, and with distrust outweighing excitement in developed markets like Germany, the UK, and the US. The report shows that people who lack trust in AI, feel economically vulnerable, or believe leaders are not transparent about job impacts are far more hesitant to embrace the technology, while personal experience with AI, especially at work, significantly increases trust, optimism, and perceived benefits. Younger generations and emerging markets like Brazil and China are more positive overall, yet skepticism remains strong where data privacy concerns, low confidence in institutions, or fears of job loss dominate. The findings suggest that building trust through transparency, practical training, peer influence, and visible real world benefits is essential for broader adoption, and that both employers and governments must play an active role in ensuring AI enhances opportunity rather than deepening inequality. The article discusses how the Artificial Intelligence Act efforts by the European Commission have faltered, highlighting that the EU has delayed a key component of the regulation and thereby missed its own deadline for creating a comprehensive, enforceable framework for AI oversight. It argues that the complexity of harmonizing rules across member states, combined with industry resistance and shifting tech priorities, has undermined the EU’s goal of being a global leader in AI governance. While the legislation still holds promise, the setback suggests the regulatory ambition may be weakened and the process prolonged.
