Key facts
- 84% of UK business leaders are confident in the UK's AI leadership potential.
- Only 41% of UK employees share this confidence.
- 35% of UK workers believe AI has reduced their job security.
- 57% of UK workers think AI harms job prospects for younger people.
- 71% of UK workers agree AI positively impacts their work.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has cautioned that artificial intelligence systems are becoming less trustworthy, highlighting a significant confidence gap in the UK between business leaders and employees regarding AI's potential and impact. Speaking at Microsoft's Frontier Tour in London, Nadella urged businesses to adopt AI responsibly with human oversight.
New research from Microsoft's AI Diffusion Report, which surveyed 5,000 UK employees and 1,000 bosses, revealed that while 84% of business leaders are confident in the UK's ability to lead in AI within five years, only 41% of employees agree. Despite concerns, 71% of workers acknowledged AI's positive impact on their work and 69% believe it has improved quality.
Concerns about job security are prevalent among workers, with 35% believing AI has reduced it and 57% feeling it negatively impacts younger generations' job prospects. Both leaders and employees largely agree that the government should increase efforts to harness AI's benefits, with over a third from each group advocating for enhanced regulation and safeguards.