Trust or bust: Realising the UK's AI ambitions

The UK government's AI Action Plan lays out a bold and comprehensive vision for positioning the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). From investing in critical AI infrastructure and skills, to driving adoption across the public and private sectors, to nurturing homegrown AI champions – the plan covers the key ingredients needed for the UK to capitalise on the transformative potential of AI.

As Ipsos research shows, there is one essential factor that must underpin all these efforts in order for the UK to succeed in its AI ambitions: trust. For AI systems to be widely embraced and adopted by citizens, businesses and government services alike, people need to have confidence that the technology is safe, secure, well-governed and aligned with societal values and priorities. 

Building this trust will require concerted, evidence-based action on multiple fronts.

Democratising access to AI infrastructure

Building trust demands strategic investment and policy to democratise access to critical AI infrastructure. Resources like compute, data centres and supercomputers are essential for the UK to remain globally competitive, but prohibitive costs create barriers, particularly for SMEs, universities, and underserved populations. By enabling more equitable access to expensive compute and data resources, the government can level the playing field for innovation while improving AI literacy. 

The AI Action Plan emphasises the importance of strategically unlocking public datasets to fuel innovation. Coupling compute access with valuable public and private datasets through responsible data-sharing could simultaneously spur AI training and build public trust. Ipsos research highlights the desire among the public and businesses for positive, real-world examples of AI being used safely and responsibly to improve work and life, from productivity to health outcomes to engaging with public services. However, we’ve seen with previous examples (such as the use of personal data in healthcare) that it is essential to build public understanding and support for the specific use case and develop (ideally with the public) and communicate effective safeguards and governance frameworks around the use of public data.

Balanced regulation

Trust-building requires proactive efforts to engage the public and provide regulatory clarity as AI becomes ubiquitous. The UK public sees AI as benefiting some groups more than others, with more perceiving it as an overall risk than an opportunity. People are open to AI assisting humans but uncomfortable with it replacing human judgement for high-stakes decisions. Businesses we’ve spoken to are looking to the government, training providers, universities, schools and other businesses to improve understanding of AI's benefits and limitations across the UK, while leading by example in setting a high bar for trustworthy AI development and use in the public sector. Crucially, designing AI regulations and governance frameworks with robust citizen input will be key.  It must also address how trust directly influences the success of the AI Action Plan. For example, how does public trust impact investment decisions, skills development, or cross-sector adoption?  

Ipsos polling has found that the pace of AI regulation is viewed as too slow by most. But despite doubts about international cooperation on AI, there is a desire for the UK to take a leading role in addressing these issues. The UK needs to establish a robust governance framework drawing on global best practices, with public trust and safety as central objectives. This is particularly import given historical precedents where public distrust has significantly impacted the adoption of new technologies, such as genetically modified (GM) foods and nuclear energy.  Our interviews with industry experts further highlights public anxieties around AI, especially concerning misinformation and job displacement. These examples underscore the need to address public concerns proactively, across sectors, to foster trust and enable successful adoption.

Building on foundations of trust in public services

The varying levels of trust in AI use across public bodies like the NHS, local councils and the police have important implications. Organisations with strong foundations of trust, such as the NHS, can build on this by communicating clearly about using AI to improve services while preserving human oversight. But for those with lower confidence, such as the police and local and central government, convincing the public that AI will be used safely and ethically is critical. This requires establishing clear accountability frameworks, proactively engaging to address concerns, and enabling appropriate transparency and scrutiny.

Confidence in AI skills

The UK must cultivate the skills needed to drive its AI ambitions both in work and everyday life. Ipsos research highlights that despite growing organisational adoption, public knowledge and use of AI remain low, especially among women, older age groups and those outside of London  . Many workers do not currently feel confident they have the skills to use, understand or evaluate AI in their jobs, with a stark divide between those who are AI-literate and those at risk of being left behind. This is a particular concern for SMEs who may struggle to build AI capabilities. Targeted support will be needed, including access to shared AI resources, tailored training, and guidance on workforce transition. 

More broadly, ongoing public engagement to understand evolving attitudes is crucial. Policymakers, regulators and businesses need to collaborate to improve AI literacy, actively involve the public in shaping governance, address the impact on workforce inequality, and support responsible innovation. Both the development and widespread adoption of AI hinge on establishing confidence at every level of the ecosystem - through infrastructure investment, responsible regulation, proactive engagement, and nurturing of AI skills.