- Italy (IT)
- Italy (EN)
- Africa (EN)
- Australia (EN)
- Belgium (EN)
- Brasil (PT)
- Canada (EN)
- Canada (FR)
- China (CN)
- France (FR)
- Germany (DE)
- Germany (EN)
- Global (EN)
- Hong Kong (EN)
- India (EN)
- Indonesia (EN)
- Ireland (EN)
- Japan (JP)
- Korea (KR)
- Latin America (ES)
- Malaysia (EN)
- Middle East (EN)
- Netherlands (EN)
- Spain (ES)
- UK (EN)
- Italy (IT)
- Italy (EN)
- Africa (EN)
- Australia (EN)
- Belgium (EN)
- Brasil (PT)
- Canada (EN)
- Canada (FR)
- China (CN)
- France (FR)
- Germany (DE)
- Germany (EN)
- Global (EN)
- Hong Kong (EN)
- India (EN)
- Indonesia (EN)
- Ireland (EN)
- Japan (JP)
- Korea (KR)
- Latin America (ES)
- Malaysia (EN)
- Middle East (EN)
- Netherlands (EN)
- Spain (ES)
- UK (EN)
A collision of trust, innovation, and politics
The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a new paradox at the heart of society. Rapid innovation offers the promise of a new era of prosperity, but instead risks exacerbating trust issues, leading to further societal instability and political polarization.
In a year where half the global population can vote in new leaders, the acceptance of innovation is essential to the success of our society. While people agree that scientists are essential to the acceptance of innovation, many are concerned that politics has too much influence on science. This perception is contributing to the decline of trust in the institutions responsible for steering us through change and towards a more prosperous future.
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Explore the findings
Business is trusted to make sure innovations are safe, understood & accessible
In Italy, Business is seen as the most trusted institution for introducing innovations into society, scoring a 54 percent of Trust. This percentage is higher among high-income groups (61 percent) than among low-income groups (47 percent).
Acceptance of innovation is at stake
The perception that major institutions are not effectively managing the latest innovation is arising. In Italy and globally, there is growing consensus on the necessity for careful evaluation by scientists and ethicists, demonstrating the emphasis on the importance of regulation and the demand for certainty regarding the actual impact of innovation on our lives.
4 Ways to Restore Trust in the Promise of Innovation
1. Implementation is as important as invention
Mismanaged innovations are prone to ignite backlash, instead of making society advance. With breakthroughs like AI, vaccines, and green energy on the line, explaining the science and managing impacts is essential.
2. Business must partner for change
Business is most trusted to introduce innovation into society, with an emphasis on partnering with government. CEOs need to safeguard jobs and take a stand on emerging ethical concerns.
3. Science must integrate with society
Scientists are still trusted—but increasingly subject to public scrutiny. To build trust in expert recommendations, explain the research, engage in dialogue, and harness peer voices as advocates.
4. Give me control over my future
When people feel in control over how innovations affect their lives, they are more likely to embrace them, not resist them. Listen for concerns, be open to questions.
Explore the findings
The Trust 10
01
The virtuous circle of trust
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01
Trust is based first on economic prosperity, evidenced by the fact that developing countries have higher trust levels than developed countries. Innovation can drive growth for all levels of society, resulting in higher trust in institutions.
02
Society is changing too quickly
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02
A majority of respondents who believe that innovation is poorly managed think that society is changing too quickly and not in ways that benefit people like me.
03
Peers on par with scientists
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03
Seventy-four percent say they trust scientists and peers, equally, for the truth about innovations; however, peers are more trusted than scientists among those who think innovation is poorly managed.
Insights
The findings from the Italian edition of the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer were presented by Fiorella Passoni (CEO of Edelman Italy) who provided commentary alongside Francesco Oggiano (Digital journalist, Editor at large of Will Media, author of the newsletter Digital Journalism).
What does this mean for your business?
Methodology
The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer is the firm’s 24th annual survey. The research was produced by the Edelman Trust Institute and consisted of 30-minute online interviews conducted between November 3 and November 22, 2023. Learn more >
28
Countries
32,000
Respondents
±1,150
Respondents / Country