Between 16% and 35% of UK businesses use AI, depending on which government survey you read. Both figures are right, because they measure different businesses at different times. Most of that use is text tools such as ChatGPT, used for writing, admin and improving how the business runs. And very few businesses use AI extensively yet.
If you’re wondering whether you’re behind, you probably aren’t. Here’s what the figures actually say.
How many UK businesses use AI?
- ONS: around 35% of businesses with 10 or more employees, up from around 12% since late 2023. Among businesses with 250 or more employees, it’s 49% (ONS, Artificial intelligence in UK businesses: 2023 to 2026).
- DSIT: 16% of UK businesses with 5 or more employees. Large businesses (36%) and mid-sized ones (23%) were more likely to use AI than micro businesses (14%) (DSIT, AI Adoption Research).
Why do the figures differ?
| ONS | DSIT | |
|---|---|---|
| Survey | Business Insights and Conditions Survey | AI Adoption Research |
| Businesses covered | 10 or more employees | 5 or more employees |
| When | 5–28 June 2026 | 12 February – 2 May 2025 |
| How many | 38,637 businesses responded | 3,500 telephone interviews |
| Headline | Around 35% use AI | 16% use AI |
Two things explain most of the gap. Smaller businesses use AI less, and DSIT includes businesses with 5–9 staff. Adoption is rising fast, and the ONS figure is more than a year newer. Whichever figure you use, most UK businesses aren’t using AI yet.
You may see other figures, from industry bodies for example. Always check which businesses a survey covered and when, before comparing.
What do businesses use AI for?
The ONS says improving business operations “is the most reported use of AI across all business size bands”, with close to 60% of AI-using businesses using it for this.
DSIT asked businesses that use or plan to use AI what they use it for:
- creative and content creation: 77%
- administrative and support: 70%
- data and analytics: 56%
- automation: 47%
Which AI tools are they using?
Mostly text tools. Of businesses using AI, 85% use natural language processing and text generation, the technology behind ChatGPT and similar assistants (DSIT). The ONS found large language models were the most widely used AI technology, at 18% of businesses with 10 or more employees.
And most buy rather than build: of businesses using AI for language tasks, 71% bought external software (DSIT).
Which sectors use AI most?
AI use varies widely by sector, from 58% of information and communication businesses to 13% in construction (ONS). DSIT found the same pattern: information and communication businesses (43%) were the most likely to be using AI.
Is AI replacing jobs?
Not so far, for most businesses. The ONS says “most businesses report that the use of AI has not resulted in a change to their overall workforce headcount so far”, with around half reporting no impact on headcount.
Few businesses use AI deeply
Only 10% of AI-using businesses with 10 or more employees say they use it extensively (ONS). Most use it lightly, for writing and admin. Yet among DSIT’s AI users, 75% reported improved productivity, and 84% apply at least some checking to AI output.
What this means for your business
- You’re not late. Most UK businesses aren’t using AI yet, and most that are only use it lightly.
- Start with text. That’s where most businesses get value first: writing, admin and summarising.
- The gap is depth, not access. Fewer than half of businesses using or planning AI use it for automation (47%), and only 10% of users use AI extensively. Going beyond a chat window is where the bigger time savings are.
Next steps
See whether you’re ready with our 10-question AI readiness checklist, or find out where AI fits in your business with the AI Opportunity Audit.