Mass unemployment, civil unrest: what UK citizens really think about AI

A King’s College London survey of more than 4,500 people found strong UK fears that AI will destroy jobs, raise unemployment, and even fuel civil unrest.

Public respondents want tighter AI regulation and more worker retraining, while employers are generally more optimistic about AI’s job-creating potential.

Some employers have already reduced hiring or made roles redundant because of AI, especially affecting entry-level opportunities.

The findings add pressure for stronger safeguards as concerns grow that AI could worsen inequality and social instability.