Brits are increasingly incorporating AI into their everyday routines, but its uptake in professional settings is lagging behind the global average, a new report reveals.
The EY AI Sentiment Index surveyed 15,000 individuals across 15 nations, including the UK, highlighting a disparity between personal and professional AI adoption.
The study found that 70% of UK respondents have consciously used AI in the last six months for tasks like navigating routes (20%) and accessing customer support (32%).
However, this figure drops significantly to just 44% for workplace usage, notably lower than the global average of 67%. While globally, content creation and idea generation are key workplace AI applications, UK professionals show slightly lower adoption in these areas.
Sentiment towards AI in the UK remains lukewarm, with an index score of 54 out of 100, compared to a global average of 68. Younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials display higher enthusiasm, while older demographics express more caution.
Concerns surrounding data privacy (65%), security breaches (71%), and the reliability of AI outputs (67%) are prevalent among UK respondents, contributing to a more reserved outlook on the technology’s benefits.
Catriona Campbell, EY UK&I AI Client Strategy Leader, said: “The survey findings highlight the importance for businesses to consider integrating AI into daily operations to address potential skills gaps and improve efficiency.”
