Public Anxieties About AI: Implications for Corporate Strategy and Societal Impact

Abstract

This research critically examines the underlying anxieties surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) that are often concealed in public discourse, particularly in the United Kingdom. Despite an initial reluctance to acknowledge AI-related fears in focus groups, where 86% of participants claimed no significant concerns, further exploration through anonymous surveys and interviews uncovered deep anxieties about AI’s impact on job security, data privacy, and ethical governance. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating focus groups, a survey of 867 participants, and 53 semi-structured interviews to investigate these anxieties in depth. The study identifies key sources of concern, ranging from the fear of job displacement to the opacity of AI systems, particularly in relation to data handling and the control exerted by corporations and governments. The analysis reveals that anxieties are not evenly distributed across demographics but rather shaped by factors such as age, education, and occupation. These findings point to the necessity of addressing these anxieties to foster trust in AI technologies. This study highlights the need for ethical and transparent AI governance, providing critical insights for policymakers and organisations as they navigate the complex socio-technical landscape that AI presents.