UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A survey reveals many UK workers conceal AI use from bosses amid fears of stigma and job loss, despite government efforts to boost adoption.
As reported by the Guardian, a poll found that one in three workers refrain from informing their supervisors about using AI, fearing it may raise doubts about their abilities.
What did Guardian research reveal about UK workers’ fears of AI?
A survey commissioned by The Guardian revealed that only 13% of UK adults admit to using AI with senior staff, while almost half see it as a tool for less capable colleagues.
As predictions grow that AI may replace many roles, an Ipsos survey of over 1,500 UK workers aged 16 to 75 revealed that 33% avoid telling their bosses or senior managers about using AI to help with their work. Workers were more willing to discuss AI use with peers, but 25% feared colleagues would question their ability if they disclosed it.
The survey revealed broad concern about AI, with more than half of respondents seeing it as a threat to social structures. Fewer participants saw AI as beneficial than harmful, with 63% saying it cannot replace human interaction and only 17% believing it can.
The findings suggest workers are unsure how employers expect AI to be used, with many receiving little guidance and fearing stigma from colleagues.
What did Johns Hopkins’ research find about AI in medicine?
According to a US study, medical peers view doctors who rely on AI in decision-making as notably less competent.
The Johns Hopkins Carey study found doctors praised AI for accuracy, yet criticised fellow doctors who used it themselves.
How will AI reshape the UK’s workforce and economy?
US President Donald Trump is set to appear alongside Sam Altman during the UK visit. Mr Altman recently signed a deal with the British government to explore the use of advanced AI models in justice, security, and education.
Nvidia’s chief executive, Jensen Huang, is expected to unveil plans for a major investment in the UK’s largest planned data centre, which will be built near Blyth in Northumbria.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he aims to “mainline AI into the veins” of the UK, as Silicon Valley firms promote their AI tools as a way to slash routine tasks and boost creativity.
What did Gaia Marcus warn about AI adoption?
Gaia Marcus, head of the independent Ada Lovelace Institute, said the reluctance of many workers to discuss AI use signals a
“potential for a major trust gap between the government’s drive for economy-wide AI adoption and the public’s belief that it may not benefit them or society.”
She added,
“We need more evaluation of the impact of using these tools, not just in the lab but in people’s everyday lives and workflows. To my knowledge, we haven’t seen any compelling evidence that the spread of these generative AI tools is significantly increasing productivity yet. Everything we are seeing suggests the need for humans to remain in the driving seat with the tools we use.”
What did Prof Keiichi Nakata say about AI stigma at work?
A Henley Business School study in May revealed that 49% of workers reported that their workplace had no formal guidelines on AI use, while over a quarter felt that their employers failed to provide adequate assistance.
Prof Keiichi Nakata said workers are now more open about using AI than they were a year ago, but warned that “there are still some elements of AI shaming and some stigma associated with AI.”
He added,
“Psychologically, if you are confident with your work and your expertise you can confidently talk about your engagement with AI, whereas if you feel it might be doing a better job than you are or you feel that you will be judged as not good enough or worse than AI, you might try to hide that or avoid talking about it.”
What did Matt Weaver say about AI’s role in business?
OpenAI’s head of solutions engineering for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Matt Weaver, stated,
“We’re seeing huge demand from business leaders for company-wide AI rollouts – because they know using AI well isn’t a shortcut, it’s a skill. Leaders see the gains in productivity and knowledge sharing and want to make that available to everyone.”
What did Keir Starmer say about the future of AI?
At the start of the year, Sir Keir Starmer set out a 50-point AI plan for Britain, saying the nation must “fully embrace our role as insurgents in this revolution” to drive economic growth and public prosperity.
He stated,
“Advances in AI will define the decade to come. This will bring extraordinary opportunities. But those opportunities will only be available to the countries and companies who can work out how to make AI work for them.”
The prime minister added,
“Our choice, then, is not whether the AI revolution happens. That is out of our hands. We must decide whether we want to get ahead and shape that revolution, or sit back passively and wait for it to shape us.”
What did the TUC survey reveal about workers’ fears of AI?
A survey commissioned by the Trades Union Congress found that over 50% of UK adults are concerned that AI could replace or drastically transform their jobs.
The body warned that the results should alert ministers to the need for swift action on technological change.
Its assistant general secretary, Kate Bell, stated,
“AI could have transformative potential, and if developed properly, workers can benefit from the productivity gains this technology may bring.”
She added,
“The alternative is bleak. Left unmanaged and in the wrong hands, the AI revolution could entrench rampant inequality as jobs are degraded or displaced, and shareholders get richer.”