AI Curiosity Is Rising – So Why Are Only 2% of UK Firms Using It?
Despite growing interest in artificial intelligence, UK businesses are still slow to turn theory into practice. According to the UK Business Data Survey 2024, just 2% of businesses that handle digitised data use it for AI or automated decision-making, with adoption only rising to 12% among large firms. This highlights a significant gap between government ambitions for AI adoption and the reality on the ground.
AI Curiosity Rising – But Adoption Still Stalled
While official figures show low uptake, public interest tells a different story. Google search data reveals a 116% year-on-year increase in searches for “AI automation”, while searches for “AI business automation” have surged by 600% over the past year. This contrast suggests businesses are exploring AI solutions but struggling to translate curiosity into action.
Nikhil Seghal, CEO of Neo Agent which specialises in AI automation for MSPs, commented “We see a real gap between intent and implementation. Leaders are clearly searching for answers on how to use AI, but without practical routes to adoption many never get beyond curiosity. That’s where the industry needs to step up – making AI accessible, not intimidating,”.
Every Minute Counts, Yet IT Remains Manual
UK firms continue to face rising costs, IT skills shortages, and mounting pressure to deliver faster, more reliable support. Manual IT processes – such as ticket triage, user account creation, and error-prone invoicing – waste both time and money. The result is not just inefficiency for individual companies but a drag on productivity at a national level.
AI Automation Delivers Tangible Results
Adopting AI automation in IT isn’t just about saving money – it’s about transforming how teams operate. By removing repetitive manual tasks, IT staff can focus on higher-value problem solving, improving both efficiency and morale.
Neo Agent’s experience with MSPs illustrates the impact:
- Routine tasks like user creation can be completed 87% faster, freeing teams for more complex work.
- Invoice accuracy improves dramatically, with errors reduced by 70%, protecting client trust.
- Businesses see tangible financial benefits, including over £32,000 in annual savings.
- Customers notice faster responses, with 100% ticket triage coverage ensuring issues are never left waiting.
“The UK is stuck at 2% adoption in AI automation – yet the benefits are clear. AI doesn’t just save money, it changes how IT teams operate day to day,” said Seghal.
Closing the Productivity Gap
As policymakers continue to champion AI adoption in national strategies, the question remains: how can more businesses make the leap from curiosity to implementation? The combination of rising public interest and tangible case study results suggests that the real barrier is not demand but delivery.
Neo Agent’s work with MSPs demonstrates that AI automation can be practical, cost-effective, and immediately impactful – offering a blueprint for how UK firms can move beyond hesitation and start addressing the productivity challenge head-on.
