UK AI adoption doubles, but the business case lags

The government published the second wave of its AI Adoption Survey on 29 October. Based on 3,503 telephone interviews with UK businesses between January and April 2026, it found 32% used at least one AI technology, up from 16% in 2025. Uptake reached 52% among larger firms, most users rely on tools built on large language models, and administration was the most common use.

The headline growth hides a shallower picture. Only 14% of businesses rate AI as high or critical to their operations. Half of adopters report a productivity gain, generally modest, and 64% have seen no immediate effect on operating costs. Among firms not yet using AI, 65% say they lack a clear business case, and limited skills hold back two-thirds of adopters. For an established operator, the risk is less about falling behind on tools and more about spending on them without a measurable return.

The practical response is to start narrow. Pick one workflow where the cost of the problem is already known, such as missed SLAs, dead-leg miles or re-keyed job sheets, and agree the success measure before choosing a tool. Embedding AI in existing systems is among the most common planned investments in the survey, which means data quality in your ERP, CAFM or telematics will decide results, so check what that data can support first. Keep a person reviewing outputs, as 81% of businesses still do.

This is the gap the free Sticklebrick Data Readiness Score is built for: it shows where AI can earn its keep in your operation and where it would waste money, before budget is committed. Where the case stands up, a six-week Pilot tests one workflow against an agreed number, so the decision to scale rests on evidence rather than enthusiasm.