Who is better at driving: you or artificial intelligence (AI)?
A survey of 2,078 motorists across Britain found that three in five believe they are superior on the road to the technology powering autonomous vehicles.
The report comes as Boris Johnson recently gave an overwhelmingly positive review of his experience in a Tesla with self-driving technology in the Daily Mail.
And on Monday, the Automated Vehicles Bill will receive Royal Assent with the UK Government set to invest up to £150m in driverless technology by 2030.
But the results of the new study suggest that the public is not yet fully sold on self-driving cars.
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The research, carried out by Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), found that 60 per cent of motorists consider themselves “better” drivers than a self-driving car. Call into question the driver’s willingness to opt for an autonomous driving experience and give up control of the vehicle.
And there is more reluctance in opinions about the reliability of autonomous driving technology.
When asked what they thought would be the biggest disadvantage of fully automated cars, two in five (39 percent) of drivers expressed concern about “technological glitches or setbacks.”
Meanwhile, one in ten (10 per cent) said non-active participation could make them “bored” on a self-driving car trip.
However, when asked about the benefits of fully automated driving, more than a quarter (27 percent) felt the technology would remove unsafe drivers from the roads, while just under a third (30 percent) cent) stated that they did not believe there was any significant benefit. benefit.
Despite public reluctance to self-driving vehicles, the automotive industry body believes the technology will bring significant economic and safety improvements.
Research by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders suggests self-driving technology will save 3,900 lives and prevent 60,000 serious road accidents by 2040, as well as providing an economic boost of around £66bn.
However, the first major scientific report on the advanced safety of AI published this week found that there are also inherent risks.
The study, the first version of the International Scientific Report on Advanced AI Safety, warns that there is no universal agreement among experts on a range of topics related to artificial intelligence.
Their main points of concern revolve around the state of current AI capabilities and how they might evolve over time, and the likelihood of extreme risks, such as losing control over the technology, occurring.
The report identified three main categories of risks around AI: malicious use, malfunction risks, and systemic risks.
It comes like the Automated Vehicles Bill Completes Parliamentary Passage in House of Lords this month and will receive Royal Assent on Monday, May 20.
The first major scientific report on advanced AI security released this week found that there are major concerns with AI adoption: malicious use, malfunction risks, and systemic risks.
Announced in the King’s Speech in November 2023, the Bill will establish the legal framework for the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles across Great Britain.
Over time, it will define who is responsible for technology misuse and accidents, establish the safety threshold for legal autonomous driving, and establish a regulatory scheme in use to monitor the continued safety of these vehicles.
Jonathan Fong, general insurance policy manager at the Association of British Insurers, welcomed the passing of the bill, saying it puts the UK “on the path to being a global leader in AV (automated vehicle) technology”.
He added: “UK motor insurers have long supported the development of automated vehicles, including actively securing trials to allow the technology to evolve and supporting the creation and progress of this bill every step of the way.
‘While this bill represents an important step forward, further consideration is needed to address security and cybersecurity concerns. “It is critical that insurers have access to relevant data to support the adoption of this technology.”
The Automated Vehicles Bill completed parliamentary approval in the House of Lords this month and will receive royal assent on Monday 20 May. It will implement the legal framework for the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles across Great Britain.
However, Mike Todd, chief executive of VWFS UK, says that even as politicians press ahead with the legislative framework for the rollout of autonomous vehicles, the public is “still not completely convinced” of the technology.
“Confidence in their own driving abilities, compared to self-driving technology, means that some drivers will be reluctant to give up control,” Todd said.
“While others don’t want to lose active participation in the driving experience.”
He added: ‘Drivers are also expressing concerns about technology-related issues or failures when they are in the vehicle.
“However, when compared to the anticipated economic and safety benefits that autonomous driving will offer, the case for further investment in the development of autonomous driving technology is compelling.”
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