Declining public trust in AI poses significant challenges for governments aiming to integrate artificial intelligence into national security and public services. The UK government, for instance, is working to define a "third way" on AI policy, balancing innovation with regulation. However, citizen trust is crucial for successful AI implementation. Citizens need to understand how AI decisions are made and the ethical guidelines regulating AI systems, particularly for high-risk applications that require explicit communication about risks and implications.
Clear governance policies are also necessary to avoid perceptions of arbitrary government actions. The UK's Global Government Trust Index score is 42.3 out of 100, indicating low public trust. Only 25% of UK citizens trust the government with personal data, compared to 35% for Apple. To address this trust deficit, governments can adopt globally recognized AI governance standards, like the EU AI Act, to provide clear definitions of risk categories and ethical guidelines.
Transparent and consistent communication is also essential, including public explanations of AI initiatives' purpose, benefits, and limitations. Governments can pilot trust-building measures within key initiatives, incorporating trust-focused elements like explicit privacy protections and citizen feedback loops. By prioritizing trust-building, governments can increase public confidence in AI systems and ensure successful integration into national security and public services.
