The UK city that’s the most ‘savvy’ with AI – and the questions Brits keep asking it | UK | News
The UK city that uses AI “best” has been revealed by Vodafone as part of the company’s new “AIQ” testing and research. To assess people’s trust and understanding of AI, Vodafone commissioned research from the Good Things Foundation and leading AI expert Dr. from Royal Holloway University of London. He partnered with Nisreen Ameen.
The research, conducted by Censuwide on 2,000 respondents in the UK between 14-15 October, found that more than a third of Brits use AI in their daily lives and the kinds of things they find it useful for. It was also able to identify which city was the ‘most AI knowledgeable’ or had the highest ‘AIQ’.
Dr Nisreen Ameen, Director of the Digital Organization and Society (DOS) Research Center at Royal Holloway, University of London, said: “It’s great to see more people using AI in their daily lives, but the average AIQ of 57% shows there is still some way to go before people feel completely safe and literate about AI.
“AI can provide great support in daily tasks, but it can be inaccurate, needs to be checked for accuracy, and people need to understand how and why it works to ensure they use it ethically and responsibly.”
Many Brits are using AI to plan appointments, help with shopping and support them with work, the findings show. Interestingly, people also use it to help with exam tips, provide housekeeping tips, and give them positive affirmations.
The data also revealed the AI divide across the country, with Sheffield topping the national average with an AIQ score of 59%, according to experts.
London, Edinburgh and Southampton follow closely behind with a score of 58%, while Birmingham reportedly has the lowest AIQ score at 53%.
More than nine million people across the UK have never used AI, 27 per cent admit to knowing very little about the technology and 10 per cent know nothing at all, experts warn that gaps in trust and understanding of AI are deepening the digital divide across the country.
They also say that proficiency in artificial intelligence is not just an advantage but also a requirement for professional and social participation.
Nicki Lyons, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at VodafoneThree, said: “AI is changing every corner of life, but even the most tech-savvy are still struggling with how to use it properly. Without widespread access to training and support, we risk worsening the digital divide, especially for those who already face barriers to getting online.”
