Majority of British adults say AI is bad for democracy
Authors of a study into our attitudes to the rise of artificial intelligence believe its findings should serve as a wake-up call to legislators and technology leaders.
A report by a Gloucestershire-based think-tank looking into leaders in the age of AI has found that more than 40 per cent of UK adults believe the technology is bad for democracy.
More than half (56 per cent) don’t trust technology companies to keep personal data safe when it comes to AI (artificial intelligence).
Half of political leaders in the study said they hope AI is an opportunity, while the other half said they didn’t know yet.
The full report offers leaders in politics and business vital insight into attitudes to AI in the UK now, as well as leadership recommendations and policy suggestions to take leaders from lab to legislation.
More than 40 per cent of UK adults believe AI is bad for democracy, with concern rising sharply among older voters and supporters of right-leaning parties.
A study of more than 2,000 UK adults was conducted as part of wider research by independent think tank the Institute for Future Studies of Leaders (IFSL). The report, ‘Ready…or not?
Leaders in the Age of AI’, which launched this month, asks just how prepared politicians and business leaders are when it comes to the impacts of AI, both positive and negative.
Just 16 per cent of people view AI as a positive for democracy, and while younger people (age 18-34) are the most optimistic, more than a quarter (27 per cent) expressed negative views on AI’s role in democracy.
However, almost half (48 per cent) believe it will help economic growth in the UK.
In addition to democratic threats, the study found that trust in AI itself is low. More than half (55 per cent) of all people said they distrust AI to keep personal data confidential, rising to 60 per cent of women.
People in Wales are the most pessimistic across the board – 71 per cent don’t trust AI when it comes to personal data, 51 per cent don’t believe it will help economic growth in the UK, and 48 per cent said it’s a bad thing for democracy.
Those in Scotland and London were equally optimistic on all three areas.
Overall perception of AI in the UK skews negative, with more than a quarter (29 per cent) viewing AI negatively, compared to just seven per cent who view it positively.
As Parliament prepares to debate AI regulatory frameworks and AI governance boards, both public and private sector leaders face mounting pressure to ensure transparency, human oversight, and ethical safeguards are at the core of AI use.
Hilarie Owen, IFSL CEO, and Angharad Planells, co-author of the report, believe this study should serve as a wake-up call to legislators and technology leaders.
The UK public is not convinced AI will serve democratic values, and trust is lowest among voters already on the political margins.
For both political stability and technological progress, both believe that trust gap must be addressed immediately.
Owen, who is based in Gloucestershire and is CEO of the IFSL and co-author of the report, said: “It is clear from the research that when it comes to AI there are different perspectives from business leaders and politicians.
“On top of that there is the British and European perspective and the US and China perspective.
“Yet for success business and politicians need to work together so everyone can gain from this remarkable technology.
“While government was too slow to put guard rails around social media, there is an even bigger juggernaut heading our way in the form of AI.
“By bringing these issues to the forefront, identifying the pitfalls and opportunities, and suggesting a clear way forward for leaders, we hope that our research both inspires and enables action.”
“This data sends a clear signal to political leaders and business decision-makers that public trust in AI, particularly its role in democratic processes, is fragile”, added Planells, also Gloucestershire-based and the report’s co-author.
“What’s also clear is that leaders worldwide must recognise that AI has moved rapidly from lab to legislation, and that their own shortcomings in knowledge and delays in acting could destabilise institutions and ways of life that we all rely on.
“When it comes to the AI age, the best leaders must be curious and cautious in equal measure, and we hope this report compels politicians and CEOs alike to act.”
The Institute for Future Studies of Leaders (IFSL) is an independent, non-partisan organisation that works to Inform, Advise, and Advocate political and business leaders worldwide on three areas – new technology, the climate crisis, and threats to democracy.
Formerly known as The Leaders Institute, the IFSL was set up by political scientist Hilarie Owen, one of the world’s leading experts, keynote speakers, and influencers on leadership.
You can read the full report, and learn how working with Hilarie transforms leaders at www.futureleadersinstitute.co.uk.