Artificial intelligence is becoming a larger part of UK business operations. The latest Office for National Statistics data shows that around 35% of UK businesses with 10 or more employees reported using at least one AI technology in June 2026, up from around 12% in late 2023.
But what are businesses actually using AI for?
How Are Businesses Using AI in the UK?
UK businesses are using AI for improving operations, researching information, creating content, analysing data, customer service and software development.
The UK Business Data Survey 2026 found that the most common reported reason for using AI was researching information, followed by summarising internal information and drafting reports or correspondence.
Common business applications include:
- Research and information gathering
- Content and text generation
- Data analysis
- Marketing
- Customer service
- Software development
- Workflow automation
- Internal reporting
- Image and visual content creation
How Many UK Businesses Are Using AI?
The latest ONS analysis found that approximately 35% of UK businesses with 10 or more employees were using AI in June 2026.
AI adoption has increased substantially since late 2023.
| Period | UK businesses using AI |
|---|---|
| Late 2023 | ~12% |
| Late 2025 | ~25% |
| June 2026 | ~35% |
The figures are based on the ONS Business Insights and Conditions Survey, so the methodology and business population should be considered when comparing them with other AI adoption studies.
Which UK Industries Use AI the Most?
AI adoption varies significantly by industry.
In June 2026, 58% of businesses in information and communication reported using AI, compared with 13% in construction.
| Industry | Businesses reporting AI use |
|---|---|
| Information & communication | 58% |
| All businesses with 10+ employees | ~35% |
| Construction | 13% |
This difference shows that AI adoption is particularly advanced in technology and information-intensive industries.
What Types of AI Are UK Businesses Using?
The most widely used AI technology among UK businesses in June 2026 was large language models, used by 18% of businesses with 10 or more employees.
Visual content creation followed at 16%, while machine-learning-based data processing was reported by 12%.
| AI Technology | Businesses Using It |
|---|---|
| Large language models | 18% |
| Visual content creation | 16% |
| Machine-learning data processing | 12% |
| Machine-learning image processing | 6% |
| Robotics | 2% |
How Are UK Businesses Using AI for Marketing?
AI is becoming useful across the marketing workflow.
Businesses can use AI to:
- Research customers and competitors
- Generate advertising ideas
- Write and test ad copy
- Analyse campaign data
- Create social media content
- Generate images and videos
- Personalise customer communication
- Analyse customer reviews
- Automate repetitive marketing tasks
For performance marketers, the workflow can become:
Research → Strategy → Creative → Paid Ads → CRO → Analysis
The important part is not simply generating more content. It is using AI to improve measurable marketing processes.
How Are UK Businesses Using AI for Customer Service?
AI is also being integrated into customer-facing systems.
The UK Business Data Survey found that 21% of large businesses using AI reported using customer service chatbots, compared with 4% of sole traders and micro businesses.
Businesses can use AI customer service systems to:
- Answer common questions
- Provide product information
- Qualify enquiries
- Summarise conversations
- Route support requests
- Assist human support teams
Are UK Businesses Using AI for Data Analysis?
Yes.
Data analysis is one of the more specialised applications of AI. The UK Business Data Survey found that 32% of large businesses using AI reported using it to analyse data or build models, compared with 6% of sole traders.
AI can help businesses analyse:
- Sales data
- Customer behaviour
- Marketing performance
- Financial information
- Operational data
- Forecasting models
Are AI Tools Integrated Into UK Business Systems?
AI integration is increasing, but it is still far from universal.
In the UK Business Data Survey 2026, 21% of businesses using AI said their AI tools were integrated into existing business systems. For large businesses, that figure was 57%.
Examples include AI integrated into:
- Microsoft 365
- CRM systems
- Finance software
- Productivity platforms
- Internal workflows
This distinction matters because using an AI chatbot occasionally is very different from embedding AI into a company’s core workflow.
What Are the Most Popular AI Tools for UK Businesses?
Businesses can choose from a growing range of AI platforms.
Some widely used options include:
- ChatGPT for research, writing, analysis and general business tasks
- Google Gemini for research, writing and Google ecosystem workflows
- Claude for writing, analysis and coding
- Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft-related workflows
- Perplexity for research and AI-powered search
- Canva AI for marketing design
- Midjourney for AI-generated visuals
- Runway for AI video
- Zapier for automation
The best AI tool depends on the business problem rather than the popularity of the platform.
What Is Stopping UK Businesses From Using AI?
Adoption is growing, but many businesses are still not using AI.
The UK’s 2026 AI Adoption Research found that 51% of businesses said AI was not relevant to their organisation, while concerns around data security and the accuracy of AI outputs were also reported.
Businesses may also face:
- Lack of AI skills
- Data privacy concerns
- Implementation costs
- Unclear ROI
- Integration challenges
- Employee training requirements
For businesses, the solution is usually to start with one clearly defined problem rather than attempting an organisation-wide AI transformation immediately.
Are Large UK Businesses Adopting AI Faster?
Yes.
The latest ONS data shows larger businesses are more likely to report AI adoption. In June 2026, 49% of businesses with 250 or more employees reported using AI, compared with around 35% across businesses with 10 or more employees.
The UK Business Data Survey also found that AI use was reported by 82% of large businesses handling digitised data, compared with 41% of micro businesses and 40% of sole traders.
Different surveys use different definitions and business populations, so these figures should not be treated as directly interchangeable.
What Is the Biggest AI Trend in the UK?
The biggest shift is from AI experimentation toward workflow integration.
The ONS found that large language models and visual content creation were among the most widely adopted AI technologies in June 2026.
At the same time, the UK Business Data Survey found that only 21% of AI-using businesses had integrated AI into existing business systems.
This creates a significant gap:
Using AI → Integrating AI → Building workflows around AI
How Should a UK Business Start Using AI?
Start with a business problem.
Ask:
- What task takes employees the most time?
- What information does the team repeatedly research?
- Which marketing tasks are repetitive?
- Where are customers waiting for answers?
- Which business data is difficult to analyse?
- Which workflow could be automated?
Then choose an AI tool that solves that specific problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of UK businesses use AI?
Around 35% of UK businesses with 10 or more employees reported using at least one AI technology in June 2026, according to the ONS.
Which UK industry uses AI the most?
The information and communication industry reported the highest adoption in the ONS June 2026 data, at 58%.
What are UK businesses using AI for?
Common uses include researching information, generating and summarising text, analysing data, customer service, marketing, software development and workflow automation.
Are small businesses using AI in the UK?
Yes. Adoption is lower than among large businesses, but AI is increasingly being used by smaller companies for research, content, analysis and other business tasks.
Which AI tools can UK businesses use?
Popular business options include ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, Canva AI, Midjourney, Runway and Zapier.
Conclusion
AI adoption in the UK is moving rapidly from experimentation into everyday business workflows. ONS data shows that around 35% of businesses with 10 or more employees reported using AI in June 2026, with significantly higher adoption among larger and technology-focused businesses.
For businesses, the opportunity is not simply to use AI because everyone else is using it. The better starting point is identifying a process where AI can save time, improve customer experience, analyse information or support revenue growth.
For marketers, combining AI, Paid Ads and Conversion Rate Optimization can turn AI from a content tool into part of the customer acquisition system.
Explore Paid Advertising and Conversion Rate Optimization by Farooq Shafi Digitals.
