Artificial intelligence and robotics dominate global concerns surrounding emerging technologies, according to findings from the Bosch Tech Compass 2026 Global Index survey.

Artificial intelligence ranks as the single biggest technological threat to society, cited by 34 per cent of respondents. Humanoid and service robots closely follow, with 29 per cent identifying them as a primary concern.

Automated systems and industrial machinery also draw notable apprehension. Self-driving cars and automated driving technology are viewed as a threat by 18 per cent of participants, while 16 per cent point to industrial robots. Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies follow at 14 per cent.

Environmental interventions and aerial technology trigger moderate concern. Both climate engineering and service drones were cited by 10 per cent of survey takers. Meanwhile, air taxis, biotechnology, and blockchain each gathered concern from 9 per cent of respondents.

Emerging computing paradigms and clean energy concepts fall lower on the spectrum of public concern. Hydrogen fuel cells, the Internet of Things, and quantum computing were each identified as threats by 7 per cent of respondents.

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Rounding out the lower end of the survey, 5G technology was cited by 4 per cent of participants, while 3D printing represents the least feared innovation, marked as a potential threat by just 3 per cent of respondents.