• Companies engaged in AI development urged to prioritise addressing consumer apprehensions and fostering a transparent dialogue around AI ethics.
• Early adopters express optimism about AI’s role in nurturing young minds, signaling a paradigm shift in educational practices towards personalised and AI-driven learning experiences.

Around 80 per cent of consumers in the 2030s will leverage AI simulations for significant decisions, such as purchasing homes or stocks, a research conducted by Ericsson showed.

The Ericsson ConsumerLab’s 10 Hot Consumer Trends 2030s report, surveyed 6,500 early adopters across 13 cities worldwide, reveals fascinating insights into how AI is expected to shape various aspects of consumers’ lives, from decision-making to childcare and employment opportunities.

Furthermore, AI is anticipated to play a pivotal role in guiding lifestyle changes based on health simulations. This indicates a fundamental shift towards incorporating AI as a trusted advisor in pivotal life choices, highlighting the growing reliance on digital intelligence for personalised recommendations.

The study also underscores the potential of AI in assisted childcare, aimed at enhancing children’s skills and development.

A paradigm shift

Early adopters express optimism about AI’s role in nurturing young minds, signaling a paradigm shift in educational practices towards personalised and AI-driven learning experiences.

Additionally, respondents recognise AI’s ability to influence employment dynamics, with a significant portion foreseeing AI as a catalyst for securing desirable job opportunities in the future job market.

”The report clearly indicates that early adopters expect AI to have a significant role in their future daily life. Consumer expectations are important as this also has implications on network traffic capabilities to handle related future data use per device,” report author Michael Bjorn, Head of Research Agenda, Ericsson Consumer & IndustryLab, said.

The research delves deeper into the attitudes of early adopters towards AI, revealing a dichotomy between AI hopefuls and AI fearful individuals. While the former exude sentiments of joy, hope, and excitement towards AI’s potential, the latter harbor apprehension and anxiety regarding its implications. T

his dichotomy showcases the nuanced emotional responses evoked by AI technologies, underscoring the need for a balanced discourse on the ethical and societal implications of AI integration.

Retaining control over AI usage

”Another insight is the concern that early adopters have, including the biggest supporters of AI, about the future control of AI in their personal lives. This shows a need for companies working with AI to address the concerns of consumers as they develop solutions,” Bjorn said.

Notably, the study highlights concerns regarding individual autonomy and control in the face of widespread AI adoption. Over 60 per cent of fervent AI advocates acknowledge the lack of full control over AI’s impact on their lives, a sentiment exacerbated among sceptics, where this figure rises to over 70 per cent.

Despite this uncertainty, a considerable proportion believes in retaining control over AI usage by 2030, pointing towards a desire for agency amidst the pervasive influence of AI. Fragmentation in usage patterns is anticipated, with varying degrees of enthusiasm in embracing AI tools across different user segments.

The report accentuates the inevitability of AI integration in daily life, with a staggering 95 per cent of respondents believing in the realization of the identified trends. This widespread optimism underscores the transformative potential of AI technologies in reshaping societal norms and individual behaviors.

Additionally, the report hints at a future where AI insights could dictate success, with a majority of respondents endorsing the significance of heeding AI recommendations for innovation and progression.

The ten trends

01 Artificial Shoppers
Will personal AI assistants bring about the end of advertising? 75 per cent predict AI shopping assistants that screen out advertisements. Just as many also say big tech companies will use these shopping assistants to influence consumer purchases.

02 Generative Fashion
Will fashion trends be dictated by AI in the future – or will “100 per cent human made” be the new black in 2030? In the 2030’s humans will use plastic surgery to get the right AI-generated beauty standard look, according to 6 in 10.

03 Sentient Screenplays
AI cloned friends are set to appear in your generatively created movies – 68 per cent foresee the ability to AI clone their friends to be part of their stories.

04 Human Digital Twins
Nothing left to chance: AI reduces uncertainty by simulating anything in daily life – 50 per cent think people will simulate their marriages for future changes or divorce.

05 Programmed Progeny
AI-assisted childcare promises relief for parents but concerns over loss of human empathy loom large – 74 per cent foresee AI assistants in parenting boosting children’s technical skills but diminish creative/emotional intelligence.

06 Govern by AI
Public AI may improve society but is likely to be challenged by corporate AIs. – 72 per cent believe corporate AIs will outsmart societal AIs.

07 Empower-less Employees

AI may boost your work performance but also strip it of meaning – 67 per cent believe that AI will be necessary to get good job positions. 

08 Data Disorder
Regulation or a digital wild west, consumers’ future depends on who controls data – 75 per cent think new regulations will allow citizens to opt out.

09 AI Running Wild
More interconnected AIs could start developing their own agenda – 59 per cent think future co-existence with AIs could become difficult.

10 Key Keepers
Will connected AI key keepers shield privacy or increase dependency in the digital age? 7 in 10 say button clicking, ID card swiping and remembering logins will become unnecessary as AI will handle that.