New polling from the Tony Blair Institute and Ipsos finds that 39 per cent of Britons see AI as a risk to the economy, while 20 per cent see it as an opportunity.
Polling finds a strong correlation between AI usage and belief in the technology’s potential, with 56 per cent of those who have never used the technology seeing it as a risk, compared to just 26 per cent of those who use it weekly.
Critically, 38 per cent cite a lack of trust in AI outputs as the main barrier to adoption, higher than any other factor.
User patterns vary widely: 25 per cent of UK adults use generative AI at least weekly. However, nearly half of UK adults have not used any generative AI tools at all in the past 12 months.
With AI central to the government’s growth agenda, TBI argues that it must build public confidence with a high-priority national programme of AI education and outreach to “clear the fog” surrounding development.
Almost twice as many Britons see AI as a risk to the economy than an opportunity, according to new polling from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
In its new paper, What the UK Thinks About AI: Building Public Trust to Accelerate Adoption, the former prime minister’s Institute warns that without decisive action to include the public in AI development, a lack of trust will undermine the government’s growth agenda and leave disadvantaged groups behind.
The polling by TBI and Ipsos reveals that 20 per cent of Britons see AI as an opportunity for the economy, while 39 per cent see it as a risk.
Critically, it finds that trust and optimism about AI are closely correlated with regular usage, which in turn is linked to being younger, male and higher income.
TBI’s paper argues that with AI adoption central to the government’s growth strategy, as set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, ministers must take urgent steps to ensure the entire population is equipped with the confidence and skills to benefit. Otherwise, public scepticism will undermine progress.
The survey of 3,727 UK adults reveals that AI usage in the UK is highly varied: while more than half of respondents had not used AI in the past 12 months, 26 per cent use it weekly. Critically, 38 per cent cite a lack of trust in AI outputs as the main barrier to adoption, higher than any other factor.
The polling demonstrates that usage and confidence are sharply divided by age, gender and income. Adults under 35 are far more likely to view AI positively, while older demographics are significantly more sceptical. Women are six percentage points less likely than men to see AI as an opportunity for society, even when accounting for income and education.
Confidence in using the technology is also associated with income, with higher-earning individuals most likely to say they’re confident in AI, even in sectors most exposed to disruption such as finance, professional services and IT.
The findings highlight a striking correlation: 56 per cent of people who have never used AI see it as a societal risk, compared to just 26 per cent of those using it weekly.
This “experience gap” means that those already benefiting from AI are more likely to trust it, while others remain sceptical.
Jakob Mökander, Director of Science and Technology Policy at TBI, said:
“We simply can’t ignore the opportunity AI presents for growth – in building a thriving tech sector, attracting more capital to the UK and enhancing productivity across the economy. Off the back of last week’s deal with the US, Britain has the perfect window to show the world what’s possible, and lead in tech diffusion and application.
“To realise this, we need to prove to people that AI will work for them, not happen to them. We need to clear the fog and mystique around AI development and show people it’s a helpful tool just like any other.
“Building this trust across the entire country, not just those who are already evangelists for AI, must be an urgent priority if we want to bring the benefits of AI to Britain and realise the government’s growth agenda.”
To bridge the trust gap, TBI argues, the government must follow a strategy of active public engagement combined with policies that build justified trust in AI.
The authors recommend a two-pronged strategy. First, the government must ensure that AI systems are worthy of the public’s trust. This means ensuring that all AI tech is robustly tested for safety, with proportionate regulation in place to protect people’s interests.
Second, the government must deliver a national programme of outreach and communication efforts to improve public attitudes. At the centre of this strategy should be the principle of talking about AI in a “human” way; communication should not get stuck on infrastructure and the “nuts and bolts” of the tech but showcase how it can help in the day-to-day.
Also recommended is a national rollout of AI training programmes developed with employers, unions, professional bodies and further-education providers which target people of all backgrounds, not just those already working with AI. Efforts should also be supported by engagement initiatives, potentially including “AI Open Houses” that invite citizens into cutting-edge AI labs, and an accessible, publicly broadcast lecture series.
Mökander concluded:
“There is currently a gap between the government’s narrative and public attitudes towards AI. Building trust in AI will be key if the government is to succeed in delivering the AI Opportunities Action Plan and its wider growth agenda.
“Most people don’t need or want to know the technicality of large language models, semiconductors and neural networks. If we talk about AI only at this level, we just put up more of a smokescreen.
“What they want is reassurance that the technology is safe to use and works in their interests. They want to understand how it’s going to improve their lives; their children’s education and career prospects, their jobs, their pockets, and the way they interact with government.
“Governments have a legitimate role in not only ensuring that AI is safe and effective, but also in building healthy public attitudes towards the risks and benefits. With good governance and increased public engagement, we can build the trust needed for the government’s growth agenda.”