Dr Florence Enock
Senior Research Fellow
Florence Enock is a Senior Research Fellow researching how interaction with AI shapes human social cognition, particularly in influencing people’s perceptions, expectations and evaluations of others.
Large Language Models in the UK: Public Use, Trust and Attitudes
By Dr Florence Enock and Professor Helen Margetts
Users of artificial intelligence tools are increasingly turning to them for personal support, emotional advice, and companionship, reflecting a wider societal shift toward seeking care and connection through technology. That’s the central finding of a new report from the Oxford Internet Institute, based on a survey of large language models in the UK.
The report highlights how UK users are looking to AI for real personal guidance and trusting it for advice across a range of topics, including personal relationships.
Key findings on LLM usage
- Almost one third of regular users (31%) reported using LLMs for personal and emotional support, such as talking through problems and asking for help with decisions, while one quarter reported interacting with LLMs for meaningful conversation at least occasionally.
- 38% of those surveyed said they trust LLMs for advice on personal relationships
- Younger users were more likely to use LLMs across all types of activity that were asked about, from practical help and collaboration to role play with AI characters and deep conversations with AI chatbots
- Women were more likely than men to use LLMs for personal and emotional support, whereas men turned to AI for help with practical tasks to a greater extent than women.
- 75% of respondents are enthusiastic about the possible benefits of AI chatbots, though men are consistently more enthusiastic than women
- Two thirds of respondents (67%) reported trusting LLMs for information about health issues.
Read the full report, Large Language Models in the UK: Public Use, Trust and Attitudes by Dr Florence Enock and Professor Helen Margetts.
