Most Brits fear AI and its mental health impact

Chris Holbrook

22nd May, 2023 | 8 mins read

Nearly two thirds of Britons are worried about the development of artificial intelligence technology, our poll for social media content platform Frankli has revealed. A similar number fear that AI could have devastating effects on humanity according to the survey.

And more than 80% of respondents believe that images that are filtered and manipulated through the technology are affecting the population’s mental health and leading to body image issues – particularly among those at the age they are likely to have teenage children.

79% of those polled also feel that the artificial intelligence industry needs to be more closely regulated and two thirds say that pictures and videos should be authenticated on social media.

Frankli, which uses tamper-proof technology to give irrevocable proofs to photographs and videos in a new fight against disinformation and AI, commissioned the poll as part of its drive to give all content definitive proofs of originality and to eradicate online deepfake videos and false images.

Results of the poll show that only 16% think that tech firms should not slow down their development of AI while 21% of 18-24 year olds say they have been fooled by a deepfake.

With a sharp increase in the prevalence of generative content through artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies like MidJourney, alongside fake news propaganda, Frankli believes it can capture an audience of users sick of online filters, manipulated content, bots and lies – as illustrated by the findings of the poll which questioned over 2000 people.

Frankli founder Dr. Mansoor Ahmed-Rengers said: “These poll results illustrate the level of the public’s fear of AI and the speed of its development.

“We see a clear majority worried about the consequences of the technology with 66% of respondents calling for authentication of pictures and videos on social media. This is positive news and proof that there is a strong public interest in digital companies showing the provenance of their content. Eight out of ten people believe that manipulated content can have negative effects on mental health and body image and that is why we need to act with speed. Our future is at stake here. It cannot be overstated.”

And Chris Holbrook, Founder of polling company Find Out Now, added: “Our recent study reveals that a staggering majority of individuals hold a genuine apprehension towards the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence, with an overwhelming consensus that its unregulated proliferation may lead to dire consequences for both humanity and mental wellbeing.”

Frankli’s technology, invented by its umbrella company OpenOrigins, enables the app to determine an exact location and time that images were captured. The moment these images are recorded they are then stored securely on a tamper-proof distributed database so they cannot be manipulated. By securing content and metadata using robust cryptography and blockchain infrastructure, Frankli hopes to build trust with an audience seeking truth.

Find Out Now interviewed 2,212 GB adults online on 5th May 2022. After over-represented demographics were programmatically removed, the final sample of 2,019 was representative by gender, age, social grade, and region within 1% of ONS quotas based on the 2011 and 2021 censuses.

To what extent are you worried about Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Very much: 11%

Somewhat: 21%

A little bit: 27%

Not at all: 32%

Full results

To what extent do you fear it could have devastating consequences for humanity?

Very much: 15%

Somewhat: 22%

A little bit: 26%

Not at all: 20%

Full results