ONS reports growing concern about AI in Great Britain

New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that public concern regarding AI in Great Britain is rising, with more adults viewing the risks as greater than the benefits. Key anxieties include misinformation, privacy, and the potential for job displacement, despite some optimism among younger demographics.
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The growing gap between AI deployment and public trust represents a significant governance challenge for policymakers and tech companies.
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ONS data show more adults now believe AI risks outweigh its benefits.
Public concern about AI is growing across Great Britain, with more adults believing its risks outweigh its benefits, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The survey found that 38% of adults believed AI’s risks outweighed its benefits, up from 25% in August 2024. Only 13% said the benefits outweighed the risks, while 43% considered them broadly balanced.
Despite growing concerns, 36% of respondents said AI would benefit them personally, although 27% disagreed, the highest share recorded since the ONS began asking the question in November 2023. Younger adults remained considerably more optimistic than older respondents.
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