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  • 2022 Special Report: Trust in Technology

 

Can global tech be trusted with the UK’s future?

Our latest research shows that despite a recent increase in trust for the global technology sector, an overall 10-year decline has seen it lose a near-unanimous top spot in many countries, especially the UK. Long-term indicators suggest that tech brands must move quickly to protect their reputation amongst the UK public by building a new vision of technology.

 
64%

of UK public trust the technology sector.

But only
28%

Say technology companies are doing well on societal impact.

Just
39%

believe technology companies are led by people who genuinely care about the welfare of people and society.

Societal leadership underpins cultural and operational factors impacting tech trust in the UK

 

Only 25% of the public believe tech companies are doing what they should to reduce their impact on climate change

 

 

The UK alongside seven of the developed markets in this 15-country survey has a deep distrust for foreign-based tech companies. Why? 65% of the population don’t trust the governments of these countries

 

 

 

The UK has amongst the lowest levels of trust anywhere for emerging technologies including cryptocurrency (27%), blockchain (28%), Web 3 (33%), VR/AR (36%) and AI (38%)

 

 

The UK has a relatively strong section of early adopters when it comes to adoption of autonomous tech (Robotics, Self-driving cars etc.),

•  59% of those who know a about autonomous technology believe it will have a positive impact on society, on average

• Globally, people are nearly 13% more likely to feel accepting of autonomous tech if tech companies create a vision of the future they can believe in

 

 

 
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT

Special Report: Trust in the Workplace

Good of Tech: Four principles for building a new technology vision in the UK

 

Demonstrate societal leadership:

• 66% believe technology will have a positive impact of economic competitiveness

• 26% think Tech CEOs are doing well on using their power to benefit society as a whole

 

 

Bring greater controls around data:

• 78% say tech firms must store personal data only in countries with strict data protection laws in order to feel comfortable sharing their data

• 77% on average, want tech companies to give them more control of their data to make them feel comfortable sharing it

 

Provide more education on emerging technologies:

• 58% say government regulators do not have adequate understanding of emerging technologies to regulate them effectively

• People’s trust will increase when emerging technology firms communicate the benefits (40%) alongside concerns (36%) and develop a code of ethics for their use (35%)

 

Bring the message home:

• Above technology industry experts, people see workplace IT support (59%) and family & friends (55%) as more credible sources of truth on technology and innovation

• Employers (57%) are seen as the most believable source of truth on tech and its impact on society among those in the UK, more believable than scientific reports (54%), media reports (40%) and social media feeds (22%)

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