UK’s AI adoption surges in daily life, but lags behind in the workplace

• 70% of UK respondents have used AI in their daily lives in the past six months
• However, this falls to 44% when using AI in a professional setting, lower than the global average of 67%
• While trust in AI remains moderate in the UK, many still have concerns about privacy, security and fake information

Although a significant proportion of the UK population actively uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their daily lives, a new survey reveals that AI adoption in the workplace is slower in the UK compared to other countries.

The EY AI Sentiment Index surveyed 15,000 people from 15 countries, including the UK, to understand how people perceive and use AI. The survey found that 70% of UK respondents have consciously used AI in their daily lives in the past six months, which is below the global average of 82%. The specific areas where AI is used vary, with accessing customer support (32%), using AI to find the best route when driving or travelling (20%) and identifying, researching or recommending things to buy (14%) among the top use cases for UK respondents. 

Integration of AI into professional life

Despite the widespread use of AI in daily life, its integration into professional settings in the UK is lower. Only 44% of UK respondents reported using AI in their professional roles, compared to 67% globally.

Over the past six months, 31% of respondents globally have used AI for writing or editing content, 30% for learning about topics, and 27% for generating new ideas in a workplace setting. In comparison, in the UK, the usage is slightly lower for writing or editing content (19%) and generating new ideas (17%), but higher for helping with career aspirations (13%) and reviewing work outputs (14%). 

Sentiment towards AI remains mixed

AI adoption is not just about functionality – it’s also about sentiment, with those who feel positively towards AI more likely to explore applications and gradually increase their confidence and usage. The EY Sentiment Index reveals how people feel about AI based on the following factors: personal comfort, perceived impact on individuals and their country, and excitement for the future, and is displayed as an average value out of 100.

The UK had one of the lowest scores in the Index, scoring 54 out of 100, compared with the global average of 68. When broken down by UK demographic group, Gen Z (71) and Millennials (67) scored highly, while AI sentiment drops significantly among Gen X (42), Baby Boomers (46), and the Silent Generation (42).

Although there is excitement about the future of AI, there are also concerns. Thirty-eight per cent (38%) of UK respondents believe the benefits of AI outweigh the potential negatives, which is lower than the global average of 48%.

Privacy and security concerns are significant among UK respondents. Issues such as security breaches (71%), privacy violations (65%), and the reliability of AI outputs (67%) are common concerns.

Catriona Campbell, EY UK&I AI Client Strategy Leader, said: “AI's potential excites people as much as it concerns them. Leaders must tap into this enthusiasm whilst also addressing their concerns. The survey findings highlight the importance for businesses to consider integrating AI into daily operations to address potential skills gaps and improve efficiency. 

“By building confidence and demonstrating the value of AI, we can bridge the adoption gap and ensure AI serves as a catalyst for innovation and progress in the UK.” 

The survey also revealed concerns regarding the impact of AI on society. Many UK respondents worry that AI could make people less intelligent (41%) and negatively affect vulnerable or at-risk individuals (65%). There is also a fear that false information generated by AI, such as deep fakes, could be taken seriously (80%), and that AI could be used by companies to manipulate thoughts and feelings (59%). Additionally, the emergence of generative AI (GenAI) has raised concerns about distinguishing between real and fake information, with 71% of people in the UK being more worried about this issue compared to the global average of 67%.

Catriona Campbell, added: “It is important to remember that AI adoption and sentiment are not uniform with demographic factors, such as age, education and geography playing an important role in how people are relating to AI.

“As AI continues to reshape our daily lives, it is crucial for business leaders to foster trust and transparency, empowering individuals to engage with AI on their own terms. This approach will not only enhance AI adoption but also position the UK at the forefront of technological advancement, driving economic growth and societal benefits."