UK business AI use nearly triples over three years, new figures show

The average number of AI technologies used by each business adopting the technology has only increased from around 1.4 to 1.6 since late 2023. Just 10% of businesses using AI said they were using it extensively.

John McGuire, Director at Pulsion Technology, said the figures show that UK businesses are moving from discussion to experimentation, but many are yet to embed AI into their wider operations.

“AI adoption is clearly accelerating, but using one tool in isolation is very different from having a clear strategy for how AI can improve day-to-day operations,” he said.

“Many businesses have started experimenting with generative AI or automation tools. The next challenge is identifying the processes where the technology can save time, improve decision-making or make better use of existing data.”

Large language models were the most commonly used form of AI among businesses surveyed. Visual-content creation and machine-learning-based data processing were also widely used, while robotics and image-processing technologies were less common.

The data points to an increasingly familiar picture for UK employers. Many have started using AI to help staff draft content, summarise information, search internal knowledge or deal with routine tasks. Fewer appear to have progressed to more complex projects involving their core systems, customer data or operational processes.

The ONS said adoption varies notably by business size. Around 28% of businesses with fewer than 10 employees reported using at least one AI technology, compared with 49% of businesses with 250 employees or more.

Separate ONS data published in July found that 29% of businesses were using at least one form of AI in June 2026, up from 21% a year earlier.

The research also found that improving business operations was the most common use of AI among larger businesses, with more than 60% reporting that the technology was being used for this purpose.

McGuire said this is likely to be where the most valuable applications emerge. Rather than treating AI as a replacement for staff or an instant solution to every business challenge, organisations should look at the repetitive work, delays and information gaps that already affect their teams.

“The strongest AI projects start with a business issue, not a piece of technology,” he said. “It may be a manual process that is slowing a team down, data that is difficult to access or a customer service task that could be handled more efficiently.

“Once the opportunity is clear, a business can decide whether it needs an off-the-shelf tool, an integration or a tailored solution.”

He added that businesses also need to consider the quality of the information AI tools will use. Poorly organised data, disconnected systems and unclear processes can limit the value of even the most capable technology.

For companies beginning to explore AI, McGuire said a measured approach is often more useful than trying to transform every part of the business at once.

“Starting with a focused use case allows a business to test the value, understand what is needed from its data and systems, and give staff time to adapt,” he said. “That creates a much stronger foundation for wider adoption.”

The findings suggest that while AI has become far more common in UK workplaces, the next stage of adoption will depend on whether organisations can turn early experiments into practical improvements across their business.