- A recent Neurostat study by Yandex shows a steady rise in public awareness and use of generative neural networks.
- As of November 2023, 75% of Russians aged 18–45 are familiar with image-generating neural networks, with user rates climbing from 26% to 31% since August 2023.
- Knowledge about generative language models remained nearly constant from August to November, hovering around 57-58%, while the number of users creating texts with these networks rose from 24% to 31%.
- Despite the growing usage, specific terminologies related to neural networks are not widely understood.
- Search data indicates a more than 15-fold increase in interest in neural networks since early 2022.
In a groundbreaking study titled Neurostat, Yandex has provided invaluable insights into the burgeoning role of generative neural networks in everyday life. The study serves as a resource for journalists, researchers, and experts, offering a detailed look at how these technologies are increasingly becoming part of public consciousness.
According to the Neurostat report, awareness of generative language models among internet users has seen a modest increase from August to November of this year, with awareness rates moving from 57% to 58%. More significantly, the proportion of users who have experimented with creating texts using neural networks has jumped from 24% to 31% over the same period.
The study further reveals that neural networks for image creation are even more widely recognized. Awareness of these tools rose from 73% in August to 75% in November, with the percentage of users trying out these networks increasing from 26% to 31%.
Despite this growing engagement, the study notes a gap in understanding specific neural network terminologies. Only 13% of respondents who are aware of neural networks and 18% of active users could accurately explain what the term “industrial technology” means in this context.
Yandex search data underscores this trend, showing a surge in public interest in neural networks. Since the beginning of 2022, the frequency of searches related to neural networks has escalated by more than 15 times, equating the term’s popularity to that of “fitness”, “psychologist”, and even “beer”.
As of November 2023, a significant 75% of Russians aged 18–45 are informed about picture-generating neural networks, marking a notable increase in user engagement over three months from 26% to 31%.
The Neurostat data, derived from surveys of urban residents aged 18–45, will be updated every three months, providing ongoing insights into the evolving landscape of neural network usage and understanding among the public.
