Technological progress is transforming societies at an unprecedented pace. But how do people around the world actually perceive this change? Is technology still regarded as a positive force, capable of addressing global challenges such as climate change and social inequality? And are individuals and organizations sufficiently prepared for the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)?

The Bosch Tech Compass provides answers to these questions. More than a study, it is a global barometer of attitudes toward technology and innovation. Since 2022, Bosch has conducted annual representative surveys across seven countries — Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States — capturing public opinion on technological progress and its societal implications. The Bosch Tech Compass 2025 once again reveals striking regional differences, emerging trends, and growing expectations surrounding AI skills and education.

Is Technology Still Making the World a Better Place?

At a global level, confidence in technological progress remains relatively high, although a gradual decline is visible. In 2025, 69% of respondents worldwide agree that technology is making the world a better place. This represents a slight decrease compared to 70% in 2024 and 75% in 2023, suggesting a more cautious and nuanced view of innovation.

Regional differences are pronounced. Optimism is strongest in China (88%) and India (84%), where technological advancement is closely associated with economic growth and opportunity. In contrast, skepticism is more prevalent in parts of Europe, particularly Germany (57%) and France (47%), where concerns about regulation, ethical implications, and social disruption play a stronger role.

Technology and Climate Change: A Key Lever?

Despite varying levels of optimism, there is broad agreement on one point: technology is seen as a crucial instrument in the fight against climate change. 71% of respondents worldwide believe that technological progress will play a key role in addressing environmental challenges.

Once again, emerging economies lead in confidence, with China (85%) and India (83%) expressing strong belief in technological solutions. By contrast, only 53% of respondents in France share this view. These differences highlight how national policy frameworks, public discourse, and trust in industry shape perceptions of technological potential.

AI Skills and Social Inequality: A Growing Concern

While artificial intelligence is widely recognized as a transformative technology, its societal impact remains contested. According to the Bosch Tech Compass 2025, 69% of respondents worldwide believe that an unequal distribution of AI skills could exacerbate social inequality.

This concern is particularly pronounced in France (76%) and Germany (75%), where debates about digital inclusion and workforce transformation are highly visible. In contrast, fewer respondents in China (52%) and the United States (64%) see unequal AI skills as a major risk, possibly reflecting different labor market dynamics and education systems.

Do We Have the AI Skills Needed for the Future?

AI is no longer a niche technology reserved for specialists. Across all surveyed countries, 71% of respondents consider AI skills crucial for future success. The perceived importance is especially high in China (91%) and India (89%), while lower — though still significant — in Germany (60%) and France (56%).

AI skills are also becoming increasingly relevant in today’s working environment. 56% of respondents worldwide state that AI skills are already essential or important in their current job. The gap between regions is notable: India (83%) and China (76%) report high workplace relevance, whereas Germany (41%) and France (38%) lag behind.

When asked which skills matter most in the age of AI, respondents worldwide emphasize the effective use of AI tools (59%), followed by critical thinking (44%) and cybersecurity awareness (44%). Interestingly, the United Kingdom stands out, with critical thinking (50%) rated slightly more important than direct AI tool usage (49%).

Taking Responsibility: How People Are Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

One of the most striking findings of the Bosch Tech Compass 2025 is the strong willingness to learn. 82% of respondents worldwide plan to educate themselves about AI. Motivation is especially high in India (98%), China (95%), and Brazil (92%), underlining the proactive approach taken in emerging economies.

Self-study remains the most common learning path, cited by 54% of respondents. At the same time, expectations toward formal education are rising. 63% worldwide support introducing AI as a standalone subject in school curricula, signaling a broad consensus that AI literacy should begin early.

AI Training in the Workplace: Progress with Gaps

Despite growing awareness, workplace training in AI remains uneven. Globally, 28% of respondents have already completed AI training at work, while an additional 11% plan to do so. India leads the field, with 57% of respondents having received AI training, whereas Germany (18%) and France (15%) trail significantly.

These figures highlight a critical challenge for organizations: as AI becomes integral to business processes, companies must invest more systematically in workforce upskilling to remain competitive and socially responsible.

AI: A Technology Here to Stay

Artificial intelligence is increasingly viewed as the defining technology of the coming years. 67% of respondents worldwide identify AI as the most important future technology — a significant increase from 64% in 2024 and 41% in 2023.

In Germany, this figure rises to 72%, followed by France (70%), China (69%), and the USA (68%). At the same time, public skepticism is declining. Only 34% worldwide now associate AI primarily with negative effects, down from 38% in 2024. Perceptions of AI’s positive societal impact have increased to 43%.

As Dr. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH, summarizes:
“AI skills are no longer limited to experts. With education, we can harness AI to enhance everyone’s abilities, validate AI outcomes, and ultimately improve human–machine collaboration.”

Study Design

The Bosch Tech Compass 2025 is based on an online survey conducted in October 2024 by the Gesellschaft für Innovative Marktforschung mbH (GIM) on behalf of Robert Bosch GmbH. The study surveyed adults aged 18 and over in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, the UK, and the USA, with samples ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 participants per country, representative by age, gender, and region.