PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF LEGAL REGULATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

The growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into professional practice, public administration, and everyday decision-making raises important questions about its legal regulation and social implications. This study examines the social dimensions of AI regulation in Kazakhstan, focusing on how support for government oversight relates to privacy concerns, perceptions of citizens’ rights, legal awareness, trust in AI, and practical experience with these technologies. Its significance lies in examining regulation through public attitudes, extending discussion beyond legal and institutional frameworks to an understudied national context.

The study draws on a sociological survey conducted in Kazakh and Russian among residents of Kazakhstan’s megacities. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and chi-square tests were used to examine relationships between regulatory preferences, attitudes toward AI, practical experience, and selected sociodemographic characteristics.

The findings show that support for government regulation is associated with concerns about privacy and the protection of citizens’ rights. Respondents who perceived greater risks to individual rights were more likely to favor government oversight, whereas those with greater practical experience of AI preferred less government intervention. Trust in AI did not preclude support for regulation: respondents expressing greater trust also recognized the need for legal oversight. Thus, trust in technology and support for its regulation can coexist.

The study concludes that public perceptions of AI regulation reflect an interplay of perceived risks, trust, legal awareness, and practical experience rather than a simple division between technological acceptance and rejection. It provides empirical evidence from Kazakhstan for sociological debates on AI governance and demonstrates the relevance of public attitudes to regulatory discussions. The findings also highlight the need for further research into how citizens interpret AI, assess its implications for their rights, and define the appropriate scope of government oversight.