In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) permeates various sectors, a recent survey commissioned by digital magazine and newspaper subscription app Readly has shed light on the British public’s sentiments towards AI. The survey underscores a prevailing wariness and mixed feelings towards AI, particularly in sectors like journalism, banking and finance, legal and judicial, and social companionship.
A general apprehension towards AI-enhanced technology
The YouGov research, which polled 2000 consumers, reveals a notable dichotomy in the public’s perception of AI. A mere 19% of respondents expressed optimism about the benefits of AI, while a substantial 62% harbored worries or mixed feelings. This data suggests that concerns significantly outweigh optimism when it comes to AI-enhanced technology amongst Brits.
Gender and age appear to play a role in these perspectives. Men are more likely to trust AI, with 25% perceiving it as beneficial, compared to only 12% of women. Moreover, seniors aged over 60 emerge as the most skeptical group, with a mere 14% recognizing benefits and 32% expressing concerns, especially regarding its application in smart-home technology.
AI in Journalism: A contentious issue
The application of AI in journalism has sparked contention among the majority of people. Only 7% of Brits believe AI can enhance journalism, while 38% view it as potentially detrimental. A generational divide is evident, with 12% of 18-29 year-olds viewing it positively, compared to a mere 5% of those aged over 60. Men are also more likely to perceive it positively, with 11% viewing it as beneficial compared to just 4% of women.
Chris Couchman, Head of Content at Readly, emphasized, “These insights underscore the importance of human touch and oversight, particularly in sectors like journalism, teaching, and banking. Brits are happy to embrace technology when it has clear benefits to our daily lives but are wary of overreliance on AI in areas where human judgment plays a crucial role.”
Legal and judicial sectors: Skepticism prevails
AI’s role in the legal and judicial world also garnered negative views, with only 10% of respondents believing it would benefit professionals in the field, compared to 42% who opposed its use.
The concept of AI fulfilling social and companionship needs was another point of division. A mere 13% of respondents found the use of AI in this context positive, while 36% deemed it harmful.
In the banking and finance sector, while 19% acknowledged some benefits of using AI, a notable 43% expressed discomfort with its use in banking and financial services, indicating a preference for human interaction, especially concerning financial matters.
Teaching and agriculture: Contrasting views on AI
In the realm of teaching, 32% of Brits felt that AI did more harm than good. In contrast, only 13% believed AI was harmful in more solitary work like agriculture.
Couchman added, “At Readly, our commitment has always been to quality journalism. While we believe AI has a place, we understand that its integration must be approached judiciously. Our survey shows that Brits believe that AI has a place in various sectors – the trick is to put it to work in a way that achieves balanced outcomes for all.”
AI in medicine and other sectors: A silver lining
Despite the general skepticism, 44% of Brits believe AI is useful in medicine and medical technology. Other sectors where AI was perceived as most useful included research (38%), smart-home devices (31%), tech coding (31%), and cybersecurity (24%).
While many Brits guard against AI’s potentially harmful effects, there are sectors where its application is welcomed. The challenge moving forward is to navigate the integration of AI in a manner that balances technological advancements with ethical considerations and the valued human touch..
