Four out of five Brits are now using artificial intelligence in their everyday lives but 27% admit they know very little about it, according to new research.

Despite the technology becoming part of daily routines - from online shopping to making appointments - the findings reveal a gap between use and understanding.

Less than half of people surveyed (49%) could correctly spot an AI-generated image of Big Ben from a photograph, highlighting how difficult it can be to distinguish between what's real and what's not.

The research, commissioned by Vodafone, also revealed the nation's AIQ for the first time, with just 13% of Brits hitting high scores (80%+). The average person scored just 57% on the new quiz, raising concerns about a growing AI skills gap in the UK.

AI expert Dr Nisreen Ameen, who co-created the quiz, said: "It's great to see that more people are using AI in their day-to-day lives, but an average AIQ of 57% shows there's a way to go before people feel fully confident and AI literate.

"AI can offer great support in day-to-day tasks, but it can be wrong, it needs to be fact-checked, and people need to understand how and why it works, to ensure they are using it ethically and responsibly.

"In fact, many people are using it without even realising it, which highlights both the promise and the challenge. If we want to build an AI-confident society, we need to make AI education and training as accessible as the technology itself."

The research revealed that 19 million Brits use AI daily, deploying it for tasks such as scheduling appointments (21%), shopping (20%) and support with work (17%). Sheffield was named as the most AI-savvy city in the UK, topping the national average, while Birmingham reported the lowest scores.

Unsurprisingly, those aged 25 to 34 are leading the charge with 48% using it at least once a day. But older generations have also embraced the technology, with 27% over the age of 80 confident enough to explain AI to others - and 12% using it every day.

Lin Park, 76, from North Yorkshire, said AI had transformed her life: "I didn't know the first thing about computers or AI, but since going to one of Good Things Foundation's digital inclusion hubs, I've learned so much.

"I'm now using AI to do things I never imagined - writing a story for a loved one and creating a memory book for my sister in Canada, who is too unwell to travel. It's truly helped me stay connected to the people I love."

The research, released as part of Get Online Week, an initiative by the Good Things Foundation, showed a significant gap in AI confidence and understanding.

For instance, 56% of respondents believe AI can "understand" things like a human, when in reality, it simply analyses patterns in data.

Younger adults were most likely to be caught out, with 52% of 25 to 34-year-olds holding this misconception, compared to just 28% of over-55s.

Older adults were also more likely to fact-check AI-generated responses, with 80% of over-55s saying they verify information with trusted sources, compared to just 62% of Gen Z.

Nicki Lyons, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at VodafoneThree, added: "AI is transforming every corner of life, but even the most tech-savvy are still grappling with how to use it in the right way.

"Without widespread access to training and support, we're at risk of a worsening digital divide, especially for those already facing barriers to getting online.

"Our everyone.connected campaign, and partnership with Good Things Foundation is all about breaking down those barriers. And this Get Online Week, we're launching our new AIQ quiz, a simple way to check your AI confidence and understanding, and access tools to help you thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world."

Helen Milner OBE, chief executive, Good Things Foundation, said: "Digital confidence is vital for everyone to participate fully in society - to manage finances, find work, and stay safe online.

"Vodafone's new research shows there's still a long way to go in helping people feel secure exploring new technology. With rapid digital transformation and emerging tech, people are at risk of being left behind. We can't afford to allow this to happen.

"The new AIQ quiz is a great way to check your understanding of AI this Get Online Week, and for anyone who wants to become more confident in their AI digital skills, I urge them to visit Good Things Foundation's AI Gateway learning platform."

Take the AIQ quiz here: https://vodafone-aiq-quiz.oathstudio.com/ to test your AI understanding, see how you compare to the rest of the UK, and access free tools to boost your AI confidence.