Less than half of UK firms use GenAI despite recognised benefits

UiPath has released its annual Global Knowledge Worker Survey, which highlights the extent to which generative AI (GenAI) is being utilised within UK businesses. The survey reveals that less than half (47%) of UK respondents are integrating GenAI tools in their professional settings, despite the technological advancements and time-saving benefits that GenAI brings. According to the survey, 45% of UK respondents claim to be saving time on work-related tasks with the help of GenAI, with 35% of those saving between 10 to 25 hours per week.

The survey, which involved over 9,000 workers globally, also unveils troubling aspects of the current work environment in the UK. It shows that 28% of the UK workforce is experiencing burnout and calling for changes within their organisations. Furthermore, 62% of those surveyed believe a reduced workload would benefit them significantly, while 35% expressed a need for more time and bandwidth to complete tasks efficiently. The report suggests that AI and automation could play a pivotal role in alleviating the heavy workload and preventing burnout among employees.

Questions are raised about the preparedness of UK businesses to leverage GenAI effectively. The survey found that nearly half (49%) of UK companies have not provided any form of AI training to their workforce, compared to 45% globally. Additionally, 28% of UK workers reported that their organisations have not disseminated any information regarding the implementation or usage of GenAI tools in the workplace.

John Kelleher, Area Vice President, UK and Ireland at UiPath, commented on the findings: "GenAI tools are presenting an incredible opportunity for organisations to increase productivity and efficiencies, but employees must be provided with the proper training and upskilling opportunities to harness the full power of this technology. The technology must also be trusted and actionable, which is where business automation platforms serve as a critical foundation. The combination of these two technologies is a key differentiator for companies to maximise business value from GenAI and other AI models while empowering employees."

The report highlights the scepticism towards AI technology within the UK workforce. 45% of UK workers expressed distrust towards AI applications, citing security concerns (33%), worries about accuracy (30%), and a lack of governance (24%) as their primary apprehensions. These concerns present obstacles to the adoption and integration of AI technologies in business operations.

Other significant global findings from the survey show that combining GenAI with business automation software can substantially maximise business value. Respondents noted improved productivity, more accurate work, and a better work/life balance when using both technologies together. Specifically, 55% saved over 10 hours at work per week when using GenAI and business automation concurrently, compared to 31% using only GenAI and 33% using just business automation.

Additionally, the survey indicates that GenAI is applied across various business departments and processes, with the most common tasks being drafting communications (38%), brainstorming (34%), and summarising long-form content (30%). Yet, only 44% of employees believe GenAI has the necessary context from their business's data to effectively support processes and drive value. This figure rises significantly to 85% when both GenAI and business automation tools are used together.

These findings underscore the necessity for businesses to adopt robust AI policies and provide adequate training to ensure that their workforce is well-equipped to utilise GenAI technologies efficiently. Addressing employee concerns and building trust in AI applications will be crucial for organisations aiming to maximise the potential benefits of AI integration.