UK firms rethink AI use to cut wasted work and boost output

UK companies are using National Productivity Week to reassess how they use artificial intelligence and frontline technology to improve efficiency. Senior executives across HR, operations and finance say the focus is shifting from output metrics to eliminating wasted effort.

The annual awareness drive comes as businesses weigh the impact of AI tools, automation and workforce platforms on both white-collar and frontline roles. Commentators argue that productivity strategies now depend as much on job design and communication as on software investment.

At digital transformation specialist Node4, senior leaders define productivity as removing low-value work rather than pushing staff to produce more. The approach reflects a broader concern among employers that headline efficiency gains can mask burnout, poor quality and rising staff turnover.

"Productivity is no longer about how much work gets done, it is about how much unnecessary work can be removed. But this is only possible if employees are given the tools they need to work smarter and focus their time where it has the greatest impact," said Victoria Knight, Chief People Officer, Node4.

She presents AI as a support layer for employees rather than a replacement. Research and data analysis, she argues, are areas where automation can compress hours of labour into minutes while still requiring human oversight for final judgement.

That view reflects a wider debate about the limits of AI as a driver of productivity in knowledge work. Employers report that pilots often fall short when they ignore the time staff spend checking or reworking automated outputs.

Knight also points to AI's role in mapping how work flows through an organisation. Analysing workflows can reveal where time is lost and where targeted changes may improve both quality and speed.

Manufacturing executives are reaching similar conclusions on the shop floor. WorkJam, which provides technology for frontline employees, links productivity gains to better onboarding, training and communication for shift workers.

"Some of the biggest efficiency gains in manufacturing are found in the people on the frontline, and in giving those people exactly what they need, exactly when they need it.

"The reality is that onboarding still absorbs weeks of effort and significant cost, yet many new hires take months to reach full productivity. Managers are stretched across shifts and sites, often repeating the same training or correcting the same gaps. By giving workers access to precision-targeted, consistent communication and learning, the burden on managers is reduced and they are free to spend more time where they have the greatest impact."

"Communication that relies on noticeboards or word of mouth often leads to fragmented messages across shifts and teams, ultimately causing confusion and disengagement across the workforce. A single frontline operations platform keeps instructions, safety updates, and priorities aligned across the floor. This clear communication also reduces ambiguity and helps frontline staff to stay informed about both local and organisation-wide updates and information."

When frontline teams can learn, communicate, and act in real time, productivity flourishes. Managers spend less effort chasing gaps, and more time improving performance where it counts most. Consistency matters just as much as speed. The companies pulling ahead are the ones giving their frontline the tools to deliver both," said Mark Williams, Managing Director EMEA, WorkJam.

Finance leaders are also revisiting long-running automation programmes. Cloud accounting firm Aqilla reports rising interest in AI that can process invoices, automate reconciliations and generate reports within finance functions.

"National Productivity Week is a good opportunity for organisations to take a closer look at how efficiently work gets done. Smart automation delivered by AI is helping finance and accounting teams process invoices faster and automate reconciliations. Tasks like month-end report generation can be completed in a fraction of the time, reducing manual effort and freeing up capacity. On paper, it looks like a clear route to improved performance."

"But speed alone doesn't dictate productivity. In finance teams, it comes from making better decisions, earlier - and that's where human judgement remains critical. Financial decisions are rarely driven solely by numbers. They are shaped by risk appetite, organisational priorities, and the wider context in which a business operates. These are not things you can automate away."

"AI can surface insights, identify anomalies, and process vast amounts of data. But it cannot - and should not - take responsibility for the decisions that follow. Those judgements carry consequences, and teams cannot outsource accountability to a system."

"As a result, the most productive teams won't necessarily be those that automate the most or rely heavily on AI. They'll be the ones that strike the right balance - combining the speed and efficiency of AI with human judgement and accountability. Ultimately, productivity is about making the right calls at the right time, with the right information to hand - not just maximising output," said Hugh Scantlebury, CEO and Founder, Aqilla.