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Britons see AI more as Risk than reward, Tony Blair report finds

Key Points

  • AI adoption is growing, Over half of UK adults have used generative AI in the past year, though nearly half have never used it.

  • Trust remains a barrier, 38% cite lack of trust in AI content as the main obstacle to adoption, alongside data privacy and ethical concerns.

  • Perception varies by experience, Frequent AI users are far more positive, while non-users are more likely to see AI as a societal risk.

  • Demographics matter, Confidence and attitudes differ by age, gender, profession, and ethnicity, shaping how AI is viewed as both a risk and an opportunity.

Public concerns over jobs and the economy raise doubts about the UK's ambition to become an AI “superpower”.

Britons are increasingly skeptical about artificial intelligence’s potential, a new survey suggests. Nearly twice as many UK adults see AI as an economic risk as see it as an opportunity. In fact, the Tony Blair Institute’s poll of over 3,700 people found 38% said AI poses a threat to the economy versus only 20% who said it offers an opportunity. 

The study also identified “a lack of trust” as the biggest obstacle to wider AI adoption. Analysts at the thinktank warned that such public pessimism could undermine Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plan to make Britain an AI “superpower”.

The gap in attitudes is much narrower among people who have actually used AI. Over half of those with no direct experience of AI see it as a risk, compared with only about one-quarter of regular AI users.

About half of UK adults have yet to use generative AI-whether for work or at home
About half of UK adults have yet to use generative AI-whether for work or at home

In other words, familiarizing people with AI tends to calm fears. As the report notes, only roughly 26% of frequent AI users view the technology as a societal risk, compared to 56% of non-users- “a self-reinforcing spiral” where trust and usage feed each other.


Implications for UK’s AI Ambitions

Many Britons remain focused on AI’s potential downsides, especially for jobs. The report cites forecasts by organizations like the IMF and OECD that AI could reshape the labour market, warning that up to 1-3 million UK private-sector jobs might eventually be displaced. (It adds that new roles will emerge to soften the impact.) 

In practice, however, some industries say they haven’t yet seen a big AI-driven shake-up- for example, recruiters report that graduate hiring hasn’t changed much so far.

Crucially, Britons say they want safeguards if AI is to move forward. Outside research shows over 70% of UK adults feel stricter AI laws and regulations would make them more comfortable with the technology. This underscores the public expectation that AI must be overseen by robust rules- from data privacy protections to anti-bias measures, rather than left unchecked.



Indeed, 38% of respondents in the TBI survey listed “lack of trust in AI content” as their top concern, with many others citing issues like data security and fairness.

To address this, the Tony Blair Institute report lays out concrete steps for the government. It urges regulation to make AI systems “trustworthy” and active campaigns that highlight practical benefits- for instance, reducing NHS waiting times or boosting workplace efficiency. 

Among its recommendations are five key initiatives:

🔹 Expand public access to AI, e.g. through training programs and demo projects for schools and businesses);

🔹 Focus on real-world use cases that matter to people (such as healthcare scheduling or public services) and clearly communicate those benefits;

🔹 Measure and publicize AI’s positive impact on services and productivity, so citizens see tangible results;

🔹 Implement responsible regulation and oversight of AI (to enforce safety, explainability and non-discrimination);

🔹 Invest in nationwide AI upskilling, ensuring workers across sectors have the confidence and skills to use AI tools.


These measures are intended to build broad public trust in AI. 


In short, the report emphasizes that simply marketing AI hype won’t work on its own. As it warns, “without broad support, the government will struggle to implement the AI Opportunities Action Plan”- meaning that bridging the trust gap is critical if Britain’s AI initiatives are to succeed.

Overall, the findings suggest that Britain’s AI ambitions may hinge on winning over a nervous public. For policy-makers and industry alike, the message is clear- couple innovation with transparency and regulation, and involve people in the conversation. With the right approach to governance and education, analysts say, the UK can still reap AI’s benefits without alienating the very people it’s meant to help.


Read the full Tony Blair Institute report here.



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