Chinese see positive impact from digital tech

China ranks first for the overall optimism over the impact of digital technology and artificial intelligence on work and life, according to a latest study.

Dentsu Aegis Network and Oxford Economics jointly studied 10 countries to assess how successful they are in building a digital economy that works for all. The study covered 20,000 consumers in Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, the UK and the US.

China came in third in the overall digital index, behind the UK and the US. The index measures the speed of growth, the breadth or inclusiveness of growth and the overall environment that supports growth.

As high as 73 percent of Chinese believe in the positive impact of digital technology, as well as its ability to create jobs and address societal challenges.

Chinese are also particularly positive about job prospects in the digital economy as 65 percent of them believe that emerging digital technologies such as artificial technology and robotics will create job opportunities over the next five-10 years.

The study also found that 68 percent of people in China believe that their formal education has given them the technology skills and knowledge they need — the highest proportion among the countries in the survey.

“The transition to a digital economy represents an unparalleled opportunity to drive economic growth and change lives,” Susana Tsui, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network China, said.

“Ensuring access to the right skills, building confidence in new products and services, as well as establishing the right norms and protocols around sharing data, are all essential elements of a strategy for the future.”