UK survey finds limited comfort with AI control

A survey of 2,000 people in the UK found that many are uncomfortable giving artificial intelligence (AI) broad control over their lives. The research was conducted by Censuswide, according to TechRadar.

Some 84% of respondents said they would give AI moderate or low access, or none at all. Another 27% preferred AI to prepare tasks for their approval, while 23% were comfortable letting it handle routine tasks but wanted to retain control over more important ones. In total, 34% said they would be uncomfortable with any AI control.

Concerns included the possibility of an AI agent acting unlawfully: 14% worried about the effect on their ability to stay out of legal trouble, rising to 21% among 18- to 24-year-olds. Meanwhile, 40% said the company that created an AI should be responsible if it goes rogue, while 19% viewed AI as a “threat to humanity.” Only 9% said they had no worries about AI.

Views also varied by age. Among people over 55, 47% would refuse to give an AI agent control over their lives. By contrast, 20% of those aged 25 to 34 said they were comfortable with high levels of agent control.

Jonathan Armstrong, a partner at Punter Southall, said the survey was relevant to debate about AI liability. He said users are responsible for the AI they use and its consequences in most cases, sometimes even when an outcome surprises them. These findings reflect respondents’ views; the source does not provide further survey methodology.