BERLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A brand new report by Leaps by Bayer, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Ipsos UK gives a deeper understanding of why folks reply in a different way to rising applied sciences and what innovators can do to construct belief and legitimacy. Based on in-depth interviews in China, Germany, and the United States, the report explores the drivers of public optimism, warning, and resistance towards AI in healthcare, cell and gene therapies (CGT), new genomic strategies (NGTs) in agriculture, and cultivated meat. The report, “How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science: Decoding the ‘Why,” builds on findings from “How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science”, a 2025 quantitative research throughout 13 international locations with over 13,000 contributors.
“Understanding public sentiment, and the mindsets and emotions behind those views, is a critical first step towards building acceptance for technologies that could drive significant impact.”
Key findings
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Optimism about the course of science and expertise is excessive, notably in lower- and middle-income international locations, in line with the preliminary report. Breakthroughs in well being are seen extra positively in comparison with these in meals and agriculture. The new research exhibits that contributors in high-income international locations understand severe illness and strained well being programs as urgent threats, whereas meals shortage and local weather change are seen with much less urgency. Distance from meals manufacturing in high-income nations could play a task; roughly 1 p.c of the inhabitants work in agriculture in Germany and the U.S.
- “We can’t change these [climate] challenges. […] If ordinary seeds struggle to survive, we definitely need to use new technologies to ensure sustainable development.” Female Gen Z, China
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AI Is Least Favored in Geographies Where It Is Most Advanced—particularly amongst Gen Z. 72 p.c of Gen Z respondents outdoors the US really feel constructive about AI’s impression on the way forward for human well being, in contrast with simply 42 p.c of Gen Z in the US, in line with the quantitative report. The new research underscores how Gen Z optimism about the potential of AI in healthcare is knowledgeable by deep expertise with AI, together with inaccuracies and pretend pictures, alongside rising social concern over job loss, diminishing of human abilities, and lack of accountability. US Gen Z exhibits excessive publicity to AI, however notably decrease confidence in the establishments accountable for governing it.
- “It’s always been like, the AI as compared to the best standard of care, but most people aren’t getting a good standard of care. And so, if the alternative is nothing, then I think in almost every case a chatbot is probably better, even at current levels of regulation and current levels of accuracy”. Male Gen Z, US
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Acceptance of AI in healthcare hinges on seen human accountability. According to quant knowledge, 64 p.c of world respondents really feel constructive about AI’s impression on human well being. New analysis exhibits that throughout areas, folks broadly welcome AI when it clearly helps, quite than replaces, human clinicians. What folks need is ‘augmented care’, not ‘algorithmic care.
- “I think that if we use AI, we can treat patients more quickly, maybe also more efficiently, and then save the time that we can use to do what currently isn’t possible. Perhaps to treat more patients, or maybe to spend more time with individual patients.” Female Gen X, Germany
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Perception of breakthrough science is formed by mindset, not mechanics. People hardly ever consider improvements on technical particulars alone; as a substitute, deeply held beliefs equivalent to equity, security, and naturalness drive attitudes. Three mindsets— Optimists, Rationalists, and Skeptics — form reactions to breakthrough innovation. These emotional worldviews minimize throughout age, training, and geography. Mindsets aren’t static classes – they behave like emotional positions folks transfer between relying on expertise.
- For instance, when CGT Skeptics think about a beloved one dealing with severe illness with no efficient therapy, many say they’d “probably try” a well-established CGT if advisable by their physician.
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Amidst a disaster in belief, transparency issues greater than ever. According to quant knowledge, 62 p.c of respondents belief well being authorities to behave in the public’s finest curiosity, with belief ranges considerably decrease in the high-income West (Germany at 52 p.c and the U.S. at 56 p.c) in comparison with middle-income international locations (e.g., China at 73 p.c).
- An essay featured in the new report from The Aspen Institute for Science & Society underscores how clear and constant communication, and the inclusion of scientists in the public discourse, contribute to constructing trustworthiness.
Why this analysis issues now
A deeper understanding of why folks maintain hopes and fears is vital to constructing societal acceptance for applied sciences that may ship vital human profit. By combining BCG’s strategic framing, Ipsos UK’s qualitative analysis experience, and Leaps by Bayer’s long-term dedication to breakthrough innovation, the research gives actionable steering for innovation and trade leaders to have interaction the public successfully.
“We see it as part of our responsibility at Leaps by Bayer to engage society and help build the trust required for transformative ideas to take root,” mentioned Juergen Eckhardt, Executive Vice President and Head of Leaps by Bayer. “Understanding public sentiment, and the mindsets and emotions behind those views, is a critical first step towards building acceptance for technologies that could drive significant impact.”
About the breakthrough research
- The 2025 world quantitative survey, How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science, spanned greater than 13,000 respondents throughout 13 international locations (Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, and the USA).
- The 2026 world qualitative survey, How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science: Decoding the “Why”, relies on qualitative knowledge and twenty-one interviews performed throughout China, Germany, and the United States, 12 of them with Gen Z contributors.
Note:
Read the new report right here:
https://leaps.bayer.com/breakthroughstudy-decoding-the-why.pdf
Read the 2025 report right here:
https://leaps.bayer.com/news/breakthrough-report
About Bayer
Bayer is a world enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of well being care and vitamin. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” the firm’s merchandise and providers are designed to assist folks and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to grasp the main challenges offered by a rising and getting old world inhabitants. Bayer is dedicated to driving sustainable improvement and producing a constructive impression with its companies. At the identical time, the Group goals to extend its incomes energy and create worth by way of innovation and progress. The Bayer model stands for belief, reliability and high quality all through the world. In fiscal 2025, the Group employed round 88,000 folks and had gross sales of 45.6 billion euros. R&D bills amounted to five.8 billion euros. For extra info, go to www.bayer.com.
About Leaps by Bayer
Leaps by Bayer goals to resolve ten large challenges or ‘Leaps’ by way of scientific breakthroughs. As the strategic funding unit of Bayer, Leaps has invested over $2.1 billion in additional than 65 corporations innovating rising platforms and applied sciences in well being and agriculture. www.leaps.bayer.com
About Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Boston Consulting Group companions with leaders in enterprise and society to deal with their most necessary challenges and seize their best alternatives. BCG was the pioneer in enterprise technique when it was based in 1963. Today, we work intently with shoppers to embrace a transformational strategy geared toward benefiting all stakeholders—empowering organizations to develop, construct sustainable aggressive benefit, and drive constructive societal impression. Our various, world groups convey deep trade and practical experience and a spread of views that query the established order and spark change. BCG delivers options by way of modern administration consulting, expertise and design, and company and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative mannequin throughout the agency and all through all ranges of the shopper group, fueled by the objective of serving to our shoppers thrive and enabling them to make the world a greater place.
Forward-Looking Statements
This launch could comprise forward-looking statements primarily based on present assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer administration. Various identified and unknown dangers, uncertainties and different components may result in materials variations between the precise future outcomes, monetary state of affairs, improvement or efficiency of the firm and the estimates given right here. These components embrace these mentioned in Bayer’s public reviews which can be found on the Bayer web site at www.bayer.com. The firm assumes no legal responsibility in anyway to replace these forward-looking statements or to evolve them to future occasions or developments.
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