UK: reported business AI use doubles in official survey
The UK AI adoption survey, published on 29 October 2026, estimates that 32% of businesses with at least five employees use an AI technology, compared with 16% in the 2025 edition. It is based on 3,503 telephone interviews conducted from 7 January to 21 April 2026.
Adoption reaches 52% among large businesses and 61% in information and communication. Text processing and generation tools dominate usage.
Among adopters, half report an overall productivity increase, generally modest; 64% see no immediate financial effect on operating costs. Skills shortages and concerns about reliability constrain adoption.
These findings describe practices and impacts reported during fieldwork, rather than real-time conditions at the end of October or independent proof of productivity gains.