Who is better behind the wheel: you or artificial intelligence (AI)?
A survey of 2,078 drivers across Britain found that three in five think they are superior to the technology that powers autonomous vehicles on the road.
The report comes as Boris Johnson recently gave an overwhelmingly positive review in the Ny Breaking of his experiences in a Tesla with self-driving technology.
And on Monday, the Automated Vehicles Bill will receive royal assent, with the UK government ready to invest up to £150 million in driverless technology by 2030.
But the results of the new study suggest that the public is not yet fully convinced of self-driving cars.
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The survey, conducted by Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), found that 60 percent of drivers consider themselves a ‘better’ driver than a self-driving car. Questioning the driver’s willingness to opt for an autonomous driving experience and hand over control of the vehicle.
And there is even more reluctance in views about the reliability of self-driving technology.
When asked what they thought would be the biggest disadvantage of fully automated cars, two in five (39 percent) of drivers expressed concerns about ‘technological shortcomings or accidents’.
Meanwhile, one in ten (10 percent) say inactive participation can lead to them being ‘bored’ during a driverless car journey.
However, when asked about the benefits of fully automated driving, more than a quarter (27 percent) believed the technology would remove unsafe drivers from the road, while just under a third (30 percent) said they would not thought there was any significant benefit.
Despite public resistance to self-driving vehicles, the automotive trade association believes the technology will deliver significant safety and economic improvements.
Research from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that self-driving technology will save 3,900 lives and prevent 60,000 serious road accidents by 2040, delivering an economic boost of around £66 billion.
However, the first major scientific report on advanced AI safety published this week shows there are also inherent risks involved.
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 surrounding artificial intelligence.
Their main concerns concern the current state of AI and how it may evolve over time, and the likelihood of extreme risks arising, such as losing control of the technology.
The report identified three main categories of risks surrounding AI: malicious use, risks of disruption and systemic risks.
It comes as the Automated Vehicles Bill completed its parliamentary passage in the House of Lords this month and will receive Royal Assent on Monday 20 May.
The bill, announced in the King’s Speech in November 2023, will set out the legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles across Britain.
Ultimately, it will outline who is liable for misuse of the technology and accidents, determine the safety threshold for legal self-driving, and establish a regulatory system to monitor the continued safety of these vehicles.
The first major scientific report on advanced AI safety published this week shows major concerns about the adoption of AI: malicious use, risks of disruption and systemic risks
Tom Leggett, vehicle technology manager at Thatcham Research, Britain’s only not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation, said: ‘I am pleased that the AV Bill will soon receive Royal Assent. After closely monitoring progress in the Houses of Parliament over the past six months, Britain will soon be in a better position to safely adopt automated vehicles on our roads.
‘It is reassuring that the bill recognizes several points raised in our joint report on insurer requirements for automated vehicles.
“This highlights regulators’ understanding that working with insurers and other key automotive stakeholders is essential to ensure the safe adoption of this technology.
‘The AV (Automated Vehicle) Bill will also provide an opportunity for greater clarity within the automotive sector, allowing consumers to make more informed decisions when considering vehicles with automated functionality.
However, Thatcham says there is still work to be done through secondary legislation to ensure this technology is adopted sustainably.
“Challenges remain around the clarity of insurance responsibility in the event of an AV collision, the clear identification of self-driving capabilities and the potential cybersecurity risk,” says Leggett.
‘Automated vehicles represent an exciting future for the UK automotive sector, but only if we can ensure there is appropriate legislation and guidance in place to protect drivers and insurers.’
Jonathan Fong, general insurance policy manager at the Association of British Insurers, welcomed the bill’s passage, saying Britain is “on track to become a world leader in AV technology.”
He added: ‘UK car insurers have long supported the development of automated vehicles, including by actively underwriting trials to evolve the technology, 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 concerns around security and cybersecurity. It is critical that insurers have access to relevant data to support the adoption of this technology.”
The Automated Vehicles Bill completed its 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 self-driving vehicles across Britain
However, Mike Todd, CEO of VWFS UK, says that despite politicians pressing ahead with the legislative framework for the rollout of autonomous vehicles, the public is “yet to be fully convinced” of the technology.
“Confidence in their own driving skills, compared to self-driving technology, means some drivers will be reluctant to hand over control,” Todd said.
‘While for others, the active participation in the driving experience is one they don’t want to lose.’
He added: “Drivers are also raising concerns about technology-related issues or shortcomings when in the vehicle.
“However, when weighed against the predicted safety and economic benefits that autonomous driving will deliver, the argument for continuing to invest in the development of self-driving technology is compelling.”
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