Over 60% Distrust Government AI Fairness; Trust in People, Institutions Declines in 2025

A CSO survey conducted between September 29 and November 15 last year with 2,197 respondents revealed that over 60% of people do not believe the Government will ensure fair AI treatment, significantly higher than the OECD average of 39%. Additionally, 72% lack confidence in the Government's ability to protect personal information from AI misuse, compared to the OECD average of 44%. Nearly 50% doubt AI's cost-reduction potential, while only 30% are confident in human oversight for critical AI decisions.

Familiarity with AI varies: 56% understand it well, with men (63.7%) more confident than women (49.1%). Younger adults (18-29 years) show higher understanding (81.7%) than those over 50 (37.8%). CSO statistician Sarah Crilly noted AI questions were added to the 2025 survey to gauge public perception of AI's role in the public sector.

Overall trust in institutions has declined. Trust in most people fell from 82.5% in 2023 to 78.7% in 2025. Trust in national government decreased from 46.6% to 43.8%, though still above the OECD average of 40%. Trust in international organizations dropped from 63.7% to 57.4%, and news media trust slightly decreased from 47.1% to 46%. Trust in political parties remained stable at 27.4%.

Satisfaction with education services is high at 69.2%, but healthcare satisfaction is low at 32.3%. Younger adults (18-29) are 75.4% satisfied with education but only 25.2% with healthcare. Older adults (over 50) show higher healthcare satisfaction at 39.8%. A gender disparity exists in healthcare satisfaction, with 37.2% of men satisfied versus 27.4% of women. The survey also found 59.1% believe a senior politician would likely not refuse a well-paid private sector job for a political favor.