AI Optimism Prevails Among Brits, But Jobs and Misinformation Concerns Persist, According to Latest Survey Results
Fresh Perspective on AI: UK Public Weighs In
The UK population is determinedly dividing when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) – optimistic about the technology's potential benefits, yet wary of the accompanying pitfalls. That's the conclusion from a fresh nationwide survey, jointly conducted by Public First and the Center for Data Innovation.
This survey of over 2,000 UK residents revisits attitudes towards AI, helping to gauge shifts since last year's survey. While curiosity remains the predominant emotion felt about AI, feelings of unease have noticeably escalated.
Amy Price, Public First's Director for Technology Policy, comments on this phenomenon, "On the one hand, Brits are starting to see AI applications in their daily lives. On the other, they typically don't feel confident that they truly grasp the underlying technology, leading to uncertainty about its long-term implications." She adds that the public is inherently anxious about a perceived lack of transparency. However, the support for AI adoption rises when human intervention is involved and clear explanations are provided for its use cases.
For instance, AI-assisted medical diagnostics receive strong endorsements, as long as patients remain informed and have the option to opt out.
A third of the adult population (35%) reportedly utilizes an AI chatbot at work, with 13% of full-time employees accomplishing this on a regular basis. Over three-quarters (73%) of residents voiced their backing for AI-aided health diagnostics, given human checks, while a quarter of young adults (28%) show keen interest in the prospect of possessing an AI companion, whether a girlfriend, boyfriend, or lifestyle assistant.
Regarding AI regulation, a majority of respondents expressed approval for various immediate policy measures. Key among these are clear labeling for AI-created content and legal accountability for adverse tech outcomes imposed on AI companies.
Interestingly, while 56% of respondents advocate for cautious policymaking to avoid unfavorable consequences, opinions stand evenly divided when it comes to balancing speed and responsibility.
"Leaders in government and industry need to heed public sentiment in regulating AI to uphold the UK's globally recognized AI leadership," says Ayesha Bhatti, a London-based policy analyst with the Center for Data Innovation. She mentions initiatives like the AI Safety Summit and the establishment of the AI Safety Institute as examples of UK's commitment to responsible AI development and innovation.
Here's a quick rundown of the current sentiments:
Today:- 29% believe AI will personally benefit them, compared to 18% who envision negative consequences, with a 40% plurality foreseeing no impact.- 39% anticipate societal benefits, while 31% foresee drawbacks, and 13% are indifferent.- Though AI has made significant strides in understanding, only 31% of UK adults feel confident clarifying how modern AI models function.- A noteworthy rise in the awareness of ChatGPT has been observed over the past year among full-time employees using AI tools.
Uses:- While Brits recognize AI's capacity to advance science and productivity, only 5% view increased worker wages as a significant advantage that could stem from AI adoption.- A majority of younger UK residents (under 35) demonstrate interest in AI tools like tutors, coaches, and financial advisors.- Almost half of UK employees utilizing AI tools acquired these skills independently, yet 42% would favor formal training over self-teaching.- 65% advocate for AI diagnostics with a user's choice, but opposed mandatory use.
Concerns:- 66% envision AI contributing to unemployment, with increased concern evident among the highly educated.- Top UK concerns revolve around AI creating fake content intended for reputation damage.- Over half (53%) of the population lacks faith in detecting AI-generated misinformation online, with concerns about the manipulation of elections reaching 72%.
Future:- It's expected that AI could achieve human-level intelligence by the 2030s, with opinions remaining steady from last year. By the 2040s, 39% imagine AI becoming ten times more intelligent.- 21% view creating superintelligence as a worthwhile pursuit, whereas 40% are unaware it's an objective for leading AI labs.
Policy:- Support for various AI policies prevails among the homegrown populace, such as clear labeling of AI content, legal liability for AI companies, curtailing advanced AI technology exports, and transparent AI model disclosures.- Banning new AI research remains the sole policy discussed more by the public that is opposed than supported.- Opinions on prioritizing UK technological leadership versus prudent AI development are split, with 39% advocating for progress while 43% argue for responsible development, transcending demographic and political lines.
For a more in-depth look at this topic, dive into the full report (PDF). Feel free to reach out to press@our website for further information.
The Center for Data Innovation is an international think tank that focuses on the intersection of data, technology, and policy. The Center's mission is to formulate and endorse pragmatic public policies that recognize the benefits and challenges surrounding data-driven innovation. Its aim is to inform policymakers and the general public about opportunities and issues related to data and technology trends such as open data, AI, and the Internet of Things.[Our Website]
Public First is a research-driven, state-of-the-art consultancy agency in the policy, strategy, and opinion realms. By combining public opinion expertise with a deep insight into policy landscapes, Public First delivers data-rich, unified policy arguments that are ready to be applied.[Public First's Website]
- The UK population's sentiment towards artificial intelligence (AI) reveals a significant divide, with optimism towards potential benefits tempered by concerns about accompanying pitfalls.
- Amy Price, Director for Technology Policy at Public First, remarks that Brits are starting to encounter AI applications in daily life but often lack understanding of the underlying technology, leading to uncertainty.
- The survey found that while curiosity persists, feelings of unease about AI have increased, particularly due to a perceived lack of transparency.
- The public's support for AI adoption rises when human intervention is involved and clear explanations are provided for its use cases, such as AI-assisted medical diagnostics.
- Regarding AI regulation, a majority of respondents advocate for clear labeling for AI-created content, legal accountability for adverse tech outcomes imposed on AI companies, and transparent disclosures of AI models.
- Ayesha Bhatti, a policy analyst with the Center for Data Innovation, emphasizes the need for leaders in government and industry to heed public sentiment in regulating AI to maintain the UK's global AI leadership, citing initiatives like the AI Safety Summit and the establishment of the AI Safety Institute as examples.
