New polling from Survation, following the UK Government’s recent major policy announcements on artificial intelligence (AI), reveals that a clear majority of Brits (55%) do not trust Keir Starmer to ensure that AI is used to benefit society as a whole.

Commissioned by the Autonomy Institute, the polling of 1,072 British adults, highlights strong public concern about the regulation of these transformative technologies and the Labour government’s approach to their potential social impact.

• Only 35% of respondents trust the Prime Minister to ensure AI is used for social good.

• 25-34 year-olds are the only age demographic in which more respondents (48%) trust Keir Starmer to make sure AI is used to benefit society as a whole, than those who do not (37%).

• However, trust is higher amongst those who voted Labour at the 2024 General Election. 62% back Keir Starmer to ensure AI benefits society equitably, compared to only 19% of those who voted Conservative.

• The findings follow announcements from ministers that “artificial intelligence will be “mainlined into the veins” of the nation”, with plans for multi-billion pounds of government investment. Plans included a scheme to unlock public data – including anonymised NHS data – to fuel the growth of AI tools and businesses.

“This new polling shows the depth of public scepticism about the Prime Minister’s ability to make sure his AI announcements will generate benefits across the whole of society.”

“While the government has plans to shift the public mood with 120 AI pilot projects, new productivity gains from these technologies could also be put to more ambitious aims such as reducing the working week for millions of workers – allowing the UK to set a new global standard for equitable and inclusive technological progress, and delivering a real AI dividend to British workers.”