- AI is a major talking point, but almost 90% of UK businesses have not seen a return on investment
- Investments in AI expected to increase 32% by 2026
- More than four in five respondents believe the UK could become a global powerhouse in AI.
Most organizations now use AI in some form, and personal use is becoming more common. But new research from Red Hat suggests that this heavy use of AI is not yet paying off, with 89% of UK businesses yet to see added value for their customers from their AI investments.
This is not deterring many organisations, however, with plans to increase their investment in AI by around 32% by 2026. Despite growing fears that the AI bubble could soon burst and lead to a “sharp market correction”, there is still hope: 83% of respondents agree that the UK has the potential to become a “global AI powerhouse” within the next three years.
The UK government has invested heavily in “unlocking AI” for businesses by creating security platforms, launching “growth zones” and a raft of more than 100 new data centers across the country to meet increased demand.
Confidence remains high
Over the next 18 months, AI will be a major concern alongside security – with agentic AI topping the priority list for 68% of organizations – although this comes with its own set of risks to manage.
AI adoption is evolving rapidly, but it is not without challenges. Nearly all (95%) respondents encountered barriers to AI adoption, primarily high implementation and maintenance costs (34%), data security and privacy concerns (30%), and difficulty integrating with existing systems (28%).
Talent sourcing and development also remains a challenge, with AI currently seen as the most pressing skills gap by 55% of respondents, along with concerns about the need for workers to use technology effectively (52%) and the need for overall AI training within the company (48%).
“Organizations are investing significantly in AI, but currently only a few are delivering value to customers,” says Joanna Hodgson, UK Country Manager at Red Hat. “In the journey from experimentation to sustainable production, business knowledge and integration with business systems must pave the way for value creation through AI. »
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