Madrid (EFE) of science and technology.
The data is highlighted in the progress of the results of a survey carried out by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) on the perception that citizens have of science and technology, which has been released today and is has been obtained from a sample of almost 3,000 interviews.
Those surveyed are especially interested -among scientific and technological advances- in non-polluting energies, biotechnology, robotics, genetic engineering and space exploration, and cite their predilection for understanding how the world works and the why, for reading news about new scientific discoveries and for receiving information about applications of science that are useful to society.
Citizens see benefits in artificial intelligence
The CIS survey reveals that many citizens perceive that artificial intelligence or nuclear energy will bring significant benefits to society, but also fear that some of the scientific and technological advances in this field pose “dangers” to society.
But the percentage of those who predict that the development of science and technology will provide many or enough benefits to society over the next twenty years stands at 85 percent, although 66.2 percent of those surveyed also point out that it will generate many or enough risks.
Although almost unanimously (91.3 percent) those surveyed would be against the Government cutting spending on science and technology, the percentage is lower, although it is also very high (81.7 percent) in the case that this cut had to be undertaken in private companies.
Participation in outreach activities is low
The citizens surveyed have corroborated that they frequently seek information on news related to science and technology; also that they usually talk about these issues with their friends and family; but the percentages of those who participate in conferences or scientific outreach activities are very low.
And what are knowledge about science and technology useful for? the respondents respond that they are very useful -in this order- to take care of health and prevent diseases in their daily lives; to take care of the environment; to understand the world and how it works; and to make decisions as consumers in the acquisition of articles and merchandise.
The respondents associate the word “science” with “progress” (72.2 percent) and “well-being” (51.3 percent) in very high percentages, and to a lesser extent they also associate “technology” with these Two words.
And the majority also (93 percent) consider that science is very useful or enough to obtain knowledge and to solve problems; and to a lesser extent to guide public policies and decision-making.