Global Perspectives of AI Risks and Harms: Analyzing the Negative Impacts of AI Technologies as Prioritized by News Media

Societal risks dominate global AI risk discussions: The analysis of news media across 27 countries found that "Societal Risks" receive the most coverage, followed by Legal & Rights-related Risks, suggesting that public concern focuses primarily on how AI affects society broadly rather than existential or environmental concerns.

AI risk prioritization varies significantly by region and country: The paper reveals that different nations emphasize different AI risks based on their local contexts, indicating that a one-size-fits-all approach to AI regulation may miss important regional concerns that matter most to specific populations.

Political bias shapes which AI risks get attention: The research found that "the distribution of such concerns varies based on the political bias of news outlets," demonstrating that which AI harms are considered important is influenced by political orientation, not just objective risk assessment.

Environmental and existential risks receive minimal media coverage: Despite being discussed in regulatory frameworks, Environmental Risks and Existential Risks rank lowest in global news coverage, suggesting a potential gap between expert risk assessments and public awareness priorities.

Media coverage should inform—not replace—risk assessment: The paper suggests that incorporating diverse global and political perspectives into AI risk evaluation is essential, implying that policymakers should consider both media-reflected public concerns and expert analysis when developing AI governance frameworks.