A new IBM-commissioned study reveals growing public confidence in artificial intelligence, with 74% of consumers in the UK and Ireland now comfortable allowing AI assistants to help with decisions—from personalised recommendations to household finances.
The findings reflect a maturing market for AI, with 79% of respondents trusting AI-powered chatbots and 72% enjoying their use. Nearly half are willing to let AI manage paid service subscriptions, while over half support AI use in everyday decisions.
Top consumer priorities include speed and convenience (40%), strong privacy protections (37%), and 24/7 support (35%). But trust still hinges on transparency—63% want clarity and control over AI’s role, and 44% remain concerned about data privacy.
Regional trends show widespread adoption: 85% of consumers in the North and 84% in the Midlands use virtual assistants. In London, 63% trust AI information, while retail-specific AI trust hits 65% in the West Midlands. Younger generations are more open—63% of 18–24-year-olds trust AI, compared to just 32% of over-55s.
While Ireland leads with 91% AI adoption among businesses, the UK remains cautious, with just 37% of large enterprises deploying AI. Yet returns are promising: two-thirds of B2B revenue leaders in the UK and EU report AI ROI within the first year.
With Prime Minister Keir Starmer projecting a £47 billion boost from AI-powered productivity gains, the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan is supporting infrastructure and enterprise adoption.
Together, rising consumer trust and national strategies signal a pivotal moment for UK and Irish businesses—those who prioritise transparency, privacy, and education will be best placed to lead in responsible AI innovation.
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