Despite uncertainties, UK employers are optimistic about AI investment.
- 35.3% of UK businesses are already investing in GenAI to enhance workplace efficiency.
- Regulatory concerns are mounting as the UK government plans new AI legislation.
- Approximately 30% of UK workers fear job redundancy due to GenAI.
- AI’s adoption in payroll processes is notable but not a top priority.
Despite significant uncertainties, UK employers remain optimistic about investing in AI. Recent data indicates that 35.3% of businesses are actively investing in Generative AI (GenAI) to improve workplace productivity and efficiency. Additionally, 40.4% of these businesses anticipate increasing their use of AI technology in the near future.
The buoyant outlook for AI investment among UK businesses comes at a time when the government is crafting new legislation to regulate AI, responding to rising concerns from the competition watchdog about the industry’s rapid growth.
However, many employees do not share this enthusiasm, with 30% of UK workers fearing that the introduction of GenAI could lead to job redundancies. This highlights a notable disconnect between employers’ investment goals and employees’ concerns about job security.
The research surveyed 5,000 businesses and 18,000 employees across Europe to gauge sentiment towards GenAI investment. The UK ranks highly among countries investing in GenAI, surpassed only by Poland and Italy. Despite the excitement around AI, it is not yet a top boardroom priority, with only 8% of countries surveyed ranking it among their top five business challenges. Other concerns such as employee well-being, recruitment, and retention take precedence.
In terms of practical application, over a fifth of European companies have adopted AI within payroll processes. Despite ranking lowest among priorities for payroll software capabilities, AI is being used for monitoring legislation, data validation, and correcting anomalies. Notably, Poland and Italy lead in integrating AI into these functions.
Laura Miller, UK People Country Leader at SD Worx, remarks, “This research highlights a mixed bag of sentiment around AI in the workplace. It’s one which mirrors the wider debate across the world on the benefits, value and potential drawbacks of transforming day to day life through AI.” She stresses the importance of leadership in managing AI integration, emphasising the need for change management and upskilling to align employee experiences with business goals.
AI investment in the UK is growing, but aligning business ambitions with employee concerns remains crucial.
