We often hear about AI in big-picture terms – breakthrough technology, bold predictions, and futuristic potential. But how is it actually being used in everyday UK businesses?
To find out, Moneypenny surveyed 750 decision-makers across UK businesses between April and May 2025. The aim was simple: understand how businesses are engaging with AI today, where it’s making the most impact, and what stage organisations are at in their journey.
Here’s what the data shows about where AI adoption stands today, where it’s going next, and what that means for businesses like yours.
According to our data, 39% of UK businesses are already using AI in some way. Another 31% are seriously considering it. That puts total interest – usage or intent – at nearly 70%.
Pie chart showing: Currently using 39%, Considering using 31%, Not considering using 30%.
Only 30% of companies say they’re not considering AI at all right now.
This near-even three-way split reflects a landscape in flux: almost 70% of businesses are either already implementing AI or actively exploring it. Yet a sizeable third still show hesitation – whether due to budget, uncertainty, or suitability.
When we asked businesses where they are on their AI journey, here’s what they said:
Pie chart showing: Fully embracing AI 28%, Selectively adopting AI 40%, Minimal usage so far 20%, No usage and no plans 12%.
Only 28% said they’re fully embracing AI across their organisation. For most, the approach is more selective: 40% told us they’re adopting AI in specific areas, while continuing to evaluate where else it could add value.
Another 20% are in the early stages of adoption, using AI minimally so far. And 12% said they have no plans to adopt it at all.
What this tells us is that while some businesses are leading from the front, the majority are taking a measured path, building experience and confidence before scaling further. It’s a mindset we’re seeing more and more: apply AI where it makes sense, learn what works, and grow from there.
Rather than rushing into full automation, businesses are focusing on where AI can genuinely support their people and improve the way they work. And in many cases, that’s proving to be the smartest route of all.
AI might still feel like new territory – but businesses are already putting it to work in everyday ways. Here are the most common places it’s being used right now:
| Function | Currently using | Considering using | Not considering using |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content creation & marketing | 44% | 31% | 25% |
| Customer support & chatbots | 45% | 28% | 27% |
| Telephone answering | 34% | 33% | 33% |
| Sales & lead generation | 39% | 33% | 28% |
| Productivity & automation | 42% | 31% | 27% |
| Analytics & reporting | 46% | 29% | 25% |
| Technical & cybersecurity | 41% | 32% | 27% |
| Recruitment & HR | 37% | 29% | 34% |
| Other | 21% | 29% | 50% |
What do these areas have in common? They’re all about scale and speed. These are places where AI can save hours, simplify decisions, or deliver quick wins.
While analytics and customer support are currently leading, it’s worth noting how closely the top five functions cluster together – all above 40% usage. Content creation and productivity tools, in particular, are becoming essential in stretched marketing and operations teams.
On the other hand, telephone answering sits slightly lower at 34%, with one in three businesses using AI to support call handling. That said, another third are still considering it – suggesting we could see a steep rise in adoption here over the next year, particularly in sectors like property and professional services where call volume is high.
But there’s also a noticeable trend among the top functions: the most successful AI use cases support – not replace – people. They work alongside your team, not instead of them.
Larger businesses are, perhaps unsurprisingly, leading the charge on AI. Here’s how full adoption looks by company size:
| Company size | Fully embracing | Selective | Minimal | No plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader | 9% | 18% | 31% | 42% |
| 1-9 | 12% | 28% | 36% | 24% |
| 10-49 | 27% | 38% | 25% | 10% |
| 50-99 | 37% | 46% | 14% | 3% |
| 100-249 | 37% | 44% | 14% | 5% |
| 250-500 | 34% | 54% | 10% | 2% |
Among sole traders, 42% said they have no plans to adopt AI, and a further 31% are only using it in a limited way. That means nearly three-quarters of the UK’s smallest businesses are still watching from the sidelines, either unsure of the benefits or cautious about the commitment.
Now compare that to companies with 50–99 employees, where only 3% say they’re not planning to use AI. In this group, 37% have fully embraced it, and almost half are using it selectively for high-impact tasks. These businesses are big enough to have internal capacity – but still agile enough to move quickly when the right tools come along.
It’s a useful reminder that while company size often affects adoption, it’s really about access: to budget, time, skills and confidence. And as AI becomes more user-friendly and tailored to specific industries, we expect that gap to narrow, especially in areas like marketing, automation and reporting, where even small changes can unlock big time savings.
When we combine the number of businesses fully embracing AI with those selectively adopting it, a clearer picture emerges of which sectors are actively engaging – even if they haven’t rolled AI out across every function just yet.
| Sector | Fully embracing | Selective | Minimal | No plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture, Engineering & Building | 22% | 39% | 28% | 11% |
| Arts & Culture | 10% | 30% | 25% | 35% |
| Education | 24% | 41% | 27% | 8% |
| Finance | 31% | 52% | 15% | 2% |
| Healthcare | 19% | 47% | 22% | 12% |
| HR | 28% | 48% | 17% | 7% |
| IT & Telecoms | 51% | 42% | 5% | 2% |
| Legal | 32% | 42% | 10% | 16% |
| Manufacturing & Utilities | 29% | 43% | 21% | 7% |
| Retail, Catering & Leisure | 17% | 40% | 31% | 12% |
| Sales, Media & Marketing | 15% | 35% | 19% | 31% |
| Travel & Transport | 5% | 36% | 36% | 23% |
Topping the list is IT & Telecoms, with a huge 93% of businesses either fully embracing or selectively using AI. Unsurprising, perhaps, this is a sector where digital adoption is part of everyday operations, and teams often have the skills to build or integrate AI tools internally.
Finance (83%), HR (76%) and Legal (74%) also show strong adoption. These are sectors that deal with large volumes of data, structured workflows, and high service expectations, making them well-suited to AI’s strengths in improving speed, accuracy and consistency.
At the other end of the spectrum, sectors like Retail, Catering & Leisure (57%), and Architecture, Engineering & Building (61%) are adopting AI more slowly. Travel & Transport (41%) and Arts & Culture (40%) currently sit at the bottom, perhaps reflecting more people-led or hands-on environments where automation must be introduced carefully to maintain the personal touch.
However low adoption doesn’t mean low potential. As tools become more intuitive and sector-specific, many of these industries could see meaningful change in the next 12–18 months.
AI adoption isn’t just shaped by what your business does – but where it’s based, too.
| Region | Fully embracing | Selective | Minimal | No plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 40% | 13% | 34% | 13% |
| North East | 39% | 34% | 12% | 15% |
| Greater London | 35% | 47% | 9% | 9% |
| North West | 32% | 36% | 21% | 11% |
| Scotland | 24% | 36% | 28% | 12% |
| South West | 25% | 41% | 23% | 11% |
| Wales | 30% | 41% | 18% | 11% |
| West Midlands | 26% | 39% | 24% | 11% |
| East Midlands | 25% | 37% | 20% | 18% |
| South East | 20% | 41% | 22% | 17% |
| Yorkshire | 21% | 36% | 27% | 16% |
| East of England | 15% | 40% | 35% | 10% |
Our data shows some clear regional leaders. Businesses in Northern Ireland (40%) and the North East of England (39%) are fully embracing AI at some of the highest rates in the country – even ahead of Greater London (35%).
This may reflect regional investment, innovation hubs, or strong local networks sharing best practices. In areas where business communities are more tightly connected, we often see faster adoption of emerging technologies.
Regions like the Southeast (20%) and East of England (15%) are taking a more cautious approach. And again, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re falling behind, just that they’re adopting AI more selectively, or in less visible ways.
Based on the trends we’re seeing, here’s what’s likely coming next:
Right now, most businesses are adopting AI tool by tool. But we’re already seeing a shift – with more organisations building clear AI roadmaps, assigning internal leads, and setting specific goals.
As tools get easier to use and more tailored to industry needs, SMEs will accelerate. Expect more “plug and play” AI built for the real world – not just tech teams.
Businesses are learning that it’s not either/or. The best results come when AI supports people – not replaces them. That means chatbots with clear handovers, automation that frees up human time, and insights that help people do their jobs better.
As AI becomes more visible to customers, trust will matter. Businesses will need to be clear about how they use AI – and make sure it reflects their values.
To unlock AI’s full value, your team needs more than access – they need confidence. We’re expecting to see more training, more knowledge-sharing, and more cross-team collaboration.
The key to success? Keep it simple. Start where you’ll see the biggest benefit. And never lose sight of the people behind your business – because that’s where your real value lies.
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