Brits ‘belief AI extra’ than the Government and even their very own family and friends
A study found 44% of adults believe artificial intelligence will provide them with more truth and facts, compared to 38% who have faith in ministers
Brits trust AI more than the Government, social media influencers – and friends and family, a report claims. A study, of 5,020 adults, found 44% believe AI will provide them with more truth and facts, compared to 38% who trust in the Government.
As 57% believe most public figures intentionally mislead people and 47% say institutions – that create and enforce laws and policies within a society – no longer serve them well.
Less than a quarter (24%) credit what they read on social channels – with 41% claiming these platforms spread misinformation and 31% disinformation. While just under a fifth (17% believe AI is more trustworthy than their own friends and family.
In contrast, news media outlets – print, digital and television – are generally trusted by 55% of adults. And only 7% of those polled think AI generated content is the worst offender for publishing false information, deliberately intended to mislead.
Harry Gove, spokesperson for OnePoll.com, which compiled the report for 72Point.com, said: “What’s particularly revealing with this research is the growing perception that AI may deliver more reliable information than even close personal networks – friends and family included. This shift underscores a broader societal transformation: individuals are increasingly turning to digital ecosystems and algorithmically curated content over interpersonal advice. The abundance of accessible, multi-sourced information is reshaping how trust is formed and where authority is placed.
“While public scepticism around AI persists – concerns about job displacement, identity fraud, and misinformation remain valid – the trajectory is clear. Society is not only embracing AI, but doing so rapidly, with trust in its outputs growing in parallel with its integration into everyday life.”
Of those adults who have used AI (70%), 59% say they are most likely to rely on it to get answers to questions, while 42% use it to learn, or to have new things explained. More than a third (34%) will turn to AI for writing help for things like emails, documents or captions and 33% use it in a professional capacity.
Reassuringly, 59% of all adults claim to have a good understanding of AI tools, chat bots and large language models. And 71% of AI users are confident in the accuracy of the answers they are provided with.
On the whole, younger adults are more likely to trust what they are told, and what they read, than any older generations.
With 45% of those aged 18 to 24 convinced by the information they absorb from social media influencers, compared to just 17% of those aged 45 to 54, and 9% of those who are 55 to 64. Similarly, 49% of younger people aged 18 to 24 will trust what they are told by business leaders compared to 39 per cent of all those polled aged 55 and over.
And the report found that those aged 25 to 34are the biggest adopters of AI, with 66% placing their trust in the information shared by the likes of ChatGPT, Copilot or Google Gemini.
Across all age groups, 55% of Brits say it is getting harder to know which sources of information to trust, and 49% do often question whether the news they see is real or fake. As many as 42% will verify what they read using multiple sources.
Harry Gove, for OnePoll.com, said: “There are straightforward ways to verify information, even when using AI-generated summaries. One of the most effective methods is to visit the original sources referenced or linked by the AI. This allows you to assess the credibility of the sites, understand the context from which the summaries were derived, and make an informed judgment about the reliability of the reported content.”
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