New data claims small businesses haven't expanded their use of AI in the past few years (www.techradar.com)

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that while AI adoption among UK businesses is increasing, especially among larger companies, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are lagging in the depth of their AI integration. The average number of AI tools used by firms has only grown slightly from 1.4 to 1.6 over three years, indicating that many businesses are utilizing AI primarily to enhance existing processes rather than significantly transforming operations. Furthermore, although 60% of larger enterprises report improvements in operations due to AI, no adverse effects on employment numbers have been noted. The findings suggest that SMBs may face a unique challenge: the lack of compelling business cases for deploying AI solutions. Unlike their larger counterparts who have embraced AI more broadly, only 17% of SMBs with fewer than ten employees are extensively utilizing AI tools. The report indicates that while costs are a concern for some, a significant portion of SMBs do not perceive major barriers to adopting AI. This implies that the readiness for AI is present, but many SMBs struggle to identify effective applications for the technology, which may hinder their progress toward deeper integration and productivity gains.