AI-driven loneliness epidemic: more than half of Brits have felt lonely over the past year, with three in four fearful that AI will increase isolation
The UK is on the brink of an AI-driven loneliness epidemic with over half of Brits (57%) admitting to having felt lonely within the last year. New research from sustainable community market initiative, Mercato Metropolitano, also reveals that three quarters
(75%) say that they are concerned that technology like AI could replace human-to-human interaction and make people lonelier and more isolated.
Almost a third of people (30%) also say social media has made them feel more socially isolated, and almost half (45%) have visited a café, restaurant or food market to be around people and feel less lonely.
With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring loneliness ‘a global public health concern’, the new report sees Brits calling on the new government to actively tackle loneliness. Almost half (48%) are demanding more investment into free local facilities
where people can meet others with nearly a quarter (23%) saying that the funding should come from a tax on social media companies.
Andrea Rasca, Mercato Metropolitano founder, said: “This research really demonstrates that while technological advancements are wonderful in so many ways, more needs to be done to tackle its downsides. There is nothing better than going back to basics
when it comes to connecting with other people, and that is at the heart of everything we stand for. Mercato Metropolitano’s mission is to create a regenerative social movement centred on food as a force for good. It’s our belief that food is, and will always
be, a catalyst for conversation and bringing communities together.”
The UK’s social isolation problem is spread across the country, according to the new research. The 10 loneliest cities are:
Belfast (70%)
Glasgow (64%)
Norwich (63%)
Manchester (62%)
Nottingham (62%)
Sheffield (59%)
Bristol (59%)
Liverpool (57%)
London (57%)
Plymouth (56%)
Rasca added: “It’s often a misconception that the older members of our community are the most vulnerable to loneliness, when in fact as well as being a country-wide issue it’s cross-generational too. Our research shows that while a quarter of those
aged over 79 (25%) and a third aged 70-78 (34%) said they’d felt lonely in the past year, so did a staggering three quarters of Generation Z (74%) and seven in ten Millennials (70%). These are shocking statistics but we’re proud to be doing what we can to
tackle such a widespread concern. We have recently opened our fourth marketplace, in Ilford, North London, to continue to bring together and connect visitors and communities.”
Mercato Metropolitano empowers local communities through social initiatives, including engaging events, creative youth networks and food education to help vulnerable groups access skills, resources, and nourishment. For more information about its four marketplaces
in Ilford, Elephant and Castle, Mayfair and Wood Wharf, please visit:
mercatometropolitano.com.
