Greeks show some of the highest levels of trust in  artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe, according to a new study released by the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications conducted by market research firm Kantar.

According to the survey findings, only 3 in 10 Greeks (30%) question the reliability of AI-generated content, while 74% believe digital dialogue offers new opportunities. By comparison, more than half (51%) of respondents in Germany and the UK expressed skepticism about AI content, and the European average for seeing digital interaction as an opportunity stood at 66%.

Despite their openness to AI, 35% of Greeks say they encounter fake news very often, significantly above the European average at 27%.

Titled “Democracy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, the survey was conducted on more than 12,000 citizens in 12 European countries, examining AI’s impact on democracy, media trust, and civic participation.

Greeks Trust AI

High Value on Democracy, Low Trust in Institutions

Greek citizens remain strongly committed to democratic principles, with 86% stating that democracy is very or extremely important to their lives, well above the European average of 75%. Yet satisfaction with how democracy works in Greece is strikingly low at 16%, compared to 22% across Europe.

Among all surveyed European nationals, Greeks also reported the lowest trust in the state to protect them from actions that undermine democracy, at just 17%.

Trends in Europe

Across Europe, the survey revealed mixed feelings about AI:

  • 53% of Europeans say they increasingly trust traditional media due to concerns about fake news online.

  • 27% frequently encounter fake news, rising to 38% among young people and dropping to 16% for those over 64.

  • Half of respondents have used AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for political issues, though only 30% believe AI’s benefits outweigh its risks.

  • 39% consider AI a threat, while 32% see more opportunities than dangers.

  • The biggest concern is AI-generated content in election campaigns, particularly on social media.

  • Respondents identified traditional media (45%), AI-detection tools (43%), and state regulation (41%) as key mechanisms to combat AI-driven misinformation.

  • Satisfaction with democratic principles was highest in the UK and lowest in Hungary.

Commenting on the findings, Joakim Reiter, Chief External & Corporate Affairs Officer at Vodafone Group, said Europeans are “sending a clear message that they want stronger protections against fake news, recognizing that AI can increase the risk of manipulation and disinformation”.