A large share of UK workers hide how much they use artificial intelligence tools at work and many believe AI poses a threat to social order, according to a new survey by pollster Ipsos for the Guardian. The findings come despite government efforts led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to boost AI adoption across multiple sectors.
One third of more than 1,500 British workers aged 16 to 75 said they did not tell bosses or senior colleagues that they use AI to aid their work. Just 13 percent said they openly discuss AI use with senior staff. Around one in four believe that their co‑workers would question their ability to perform roles if they admitted using AI.
More than half of those surveyed believe that AI threatens the social structure. Sixty‑three percent said AI is not a good substitute for human interaction while only seventeen percent said it was.
Uncertainty about employer guidance, stigma
The polling suggests many employees feel unclear about how AI should be used in workplaces. Almost half reported that their employers do not provide formal guidelines for AI use. Some respondents said they fear stigma or judgement if colleagues believe they are relying too heavily on automated tools.
 |
Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.
|
Prof Keiichi Nakata of Henley Business School, whose work was also referenced, said that people were more comfortable discussing AI than a year earlier, but stigma remained.
“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,” he said.
Leaders call for evaluation and trust
Gaia Marcus, director of research body the Ada Lovelace Institute, described the findings as a warning. She said the large minority of people who did not disclose AI use showed “potential for a large trust gap to emerge between government’s appetite for economy‑wide AI adoption and the public sense that AI might not be beneficial to them or to the fabric of society”.
Marcus also noted that so far there was no strong evidence that these generative AI tools were increasing productivity significantly. She said people must remain in control of how the tools are used.
What the survey reveals about worker belief
The polling offered a snapshot of worker sentiment, revealing widespread concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, social dynamics and personal credibility:
- One third avoid disclosing AI use to senior staff
- Nearly half believe AI will harm social structure
- Most are sceptical that AI can replace human interaction
- Fear of being judged or appearing less competent is common among those who use AI
Implications for employers
The survey reveals workplaces where AI is adopted but social norms, expectations and fears lean heavily towards caution. HR departments and company leaders may need to address several issues in light of the findings:
Clear AI policies
Employers should provide explicit guidance on acceptable AI usage. Clarity over when and how AI tools should be used could reduce anxiety among employees.
Open communication culture
Encouraging open discussion about AI tools without fear of judgement could help reduce stigma. Creating forums or spaces for workers to share experiences may foster trust.
Training and oversight
Training programmes should include not only how to use AI tools but also potential ethical, social and interpersonal implications. Oversight may help prevent misuse or overreliance.
Balancing human interaction
As many workers believe human interaction cannot be replaced by AI, employers might preserve or redesign aspects of work that rely on human contact.
Examining social outcomes
Public policymakers may need to consider not just productivity but also how AI integration affects social fabric, trust, inclusion and workers’ wellbeing.
Starmer has said that he wants to integrate AI into many areas of British industry. “Artificial intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people,” he said in January.
But as the state looks to accelerate AI adoption, this survey suggests a significant portion of the workforce remains wary. Without addressing concerns over transparency, judgement and impact on social relations, experts say workers may be reluctant to embrace AI fully.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
