What does the UK really think about AI ?
As a self confessed polling geek I have been waiting for some decent polling on what the UK thinks of AI and now YouGov have the answers.
The recent AI Safety Summit in the UK and the use of deepfake technology to manipulate a video of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has reignited concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society. While some experts warn of the dangers AI poses to humanity, a recent survey of 2067 adults in Great Britain by YouGov suggests that the public is more concerned about the practical implications of AI on everyday life, such as its potential impact on jobs and society. The survey, which was conducted between October 27th and 29th, 2023, provides valuable insights into the public’s perceptions and concerns about AI. As a polling geek I found this work by YouGov fascinating.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the results of the survey and examine the reasons behind the lack of confidence in AI development and regulation.
The survey, conducted by YouGov, found that only 18% of Britons associate AI with risks to humanity’s survival. Instead, 50% of respondents think about the impact of AI on everyday life, such as job displacement and societal changes.
When asked about their level of understanding of AI, 7% of respondents claimed to have a great deal of understanding, while 6% said they have a great deal of understanding of the issues surrounding AI.
The survey also revealed that older Britons (34–36% of those over 65) are less engaged with the topic of AI compared to their younger counterparts (55–63% of 18–24 year olds). Additionally, only 16% of Britons are optimistic about the impact AI will have, while 35% are neutral and 35% are pessimistic.
The survey suggests that Britons have low expectations for the responsible development of AI by technology companies. Only 18% of respondents believe that tech companies will develop AI responsibly, while 14% have confidence in the ability of current and future UK governments to effectively regulate AI development and use.
These low expectations are not limited to one political party; only 17% of Tory voters and 13% of Labour voters have confidence in the government’s ability to handle AI. Interestingly, those who are most optimistic about AI’s impact have mixed opinions on tech companies, with 50% expressing confidence in their ability to be responsible, while 45% lack this confidence. However, most (58%) still lack confidence in governments’ regulatory abilities
The survey results suggest that Britons are skeptical about the development and regulation of AI. The lack of confidence in tech companies and regulators is concerning, as it indicates a need for transparency and accountability in AI development. It is crucial for policymakers and industry leaders to address these concerns and work towards building public trust in AI. By promoting responsible AI development and regulation, we can ensure that the technology is used for the betterment of society to benefit us all but it also shows as technology professionals we need to start better articulating the story.
The full YouGov data set can be found here
