Do Europeans trust science? The new investigation says “yes, but …”

The latest survey of the European Commission public opinion on attitudes towards science and technology highlights the need to make research even more open and relevant for the needs of the company.

A large majority of Europeans believe in the advantages of science, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey on “knowledge and attitudes of European citizens towards science and technology”.

They want to see these advantages more equitably distributed and are cautious about any potential negative impact of science.

In the investigationCarried out in 27 EU member states, Western Balkans, Türkiye and the United Kingdom and released on February 3, more than eight citizens out of 10 (83%) said that the global influence of science and technology was positive. Two -thirds (67%) said that science and technology improve people’s lives, making them easier, healthier and more comfortable.

“The global positive attitude towards science and technology is reassuring, as this is essential to achieve our competitiveness objectives,” said Ekaterina Zahariva, European commissioner for startups, research and innovation.

“At the same time, we must meet the expectations of citizens for a more equitable distribution of the advantages of science and technology. We must also continue to promote openness, transparency and integrity, while improving the Public commitment of citizens and other stakeholders in research and innovation, “she added.

While almost two -thirds of the survey respondents have recognized that science and technology could help improve the environment and fight climate change, they still thought that “they mainly help companies win the money”.

In doing so, it focuses on strategic areas that can help research and innovation players to become more competitive and sustainable by making advanced research that can benefit the economy and citizens.

It also finances important research which may not be profitable and is therefore not prioritized by companies, as is sometimes the case in health, for example. Likewise, he supports research initiatives that promote international collaboration and help reduce disparities between EU countries.

Technology must benefit everyone

The answers to several questions have shown that the preference of citizens to science is inclusive, benefiting as many people as possible, but also involving them in research.

Asked about the importance of maintaining gender equality in science and technology, 69% expressed their conviction that this would help us live in a fairer and more equal society, and 63% said that it would improve the Research results.

The majority of respondents also underlined the expected positive impact of science on young people: 68% said that science will create more opportunities for future generations, while 61% said it was preparing young people to act as well as well informed citizens.

Up to 77% of those questioned, research should take into account the needs of all groups of people in their work, while 72% think that their government should assume the responsibility to ensure that new technologies benefit all .

In a similar way, 63% said that “implying non-sciences in research and technological development guarantees that science and science technology Meet the needs, values ​​and expectations of society. “”

The Horizon Europe Framework program devotes funds to citizens’ scientific research projects, as well as relevant political support actions (for example Science of European citizens Or Pan -European efforts in progress to follow biodiversity).

In the same way, the vast majority of respondents (80%) believe that the results of the research funded by the State should be made available online for free.

This complies with the concept of open sciences that the EU defends, pressing for early and open sharing of knowledge and open access scientific publications and research data for all research funded by the public.

In Horizon 2020, the share of free access documents increased from 65% in 2014 to 86% in 2019, according to an official evaluation report of 2023. On the horizon of Europe, the beneficiaries must immediately provide free access to their scientific publications.

Also have to the point

Regarding the rapid use of artificial intelligence (AI), half of respondents (50%) said they thought that AI could advance scientific discoveries linked to serious challenges such as climate change and diseases.

Only 38% of respondents said they trusted scientific research and discoveries created using AI, while a quarter (25%) is wary of this type of research. About 58% also expressed some concern about the potential of scientific applications to threaten human rights.

The European Commission has recognized the growing role of AI in researchBut underlined the need to carefully walk and protect fundamental rights.

Eurobarometer conducts public opinion surveys through Europe in the name of EU institutions, monitoring public feeling on specific subjects. This last edition pursues a long line of surveys on this subject which dates back decades, with the last in 2021, 2013, 2010 and 2005.