A recent IBM study shows that 66% of UK enterprises report notable productivity gains from artificial intelligence (AI), with 63% of senior leaders highlighting improvements in operational efficiency. The findings, part of the “Race for ROI” report based on insights from 3,500 business leaders across EMEA—including 500 from the UK—suggest that while many organisations benefit from AI, most have yet to fully realise its potential.
The research reveals that UK businesses are ahead of their EMEA counterparts in leveraging AI for operational efficiency. Senior leaders indicate that AI and automation are allowing employees to focus more on high-value tasks such as innovation (41%), creative work (41%), strategic planning (39%), building relationships (35%), and advancing sustainability initiatives (35%).
Despite these advancements, nearly two-thirds of organisations have not maximised AI’s benefits. A significant barrier is the lack of investment in workforce development; only 45% of UK companies offer broad or role-specific AI training, and just 38% prioritise inclusive upskilling efforts. Internal resistance and cultural challenges are also slowing the rollout of pilot AI projects.
To address this gap, initiatives like the UK government’s plan to provide AI skills training to 7.5 million workers aim to prepare the workforce for future roles involving advanced technologies.
Some financial returns are already evident: 27% of UK senior leaders say their organisations see cost-saving benefits from AI-driven productivity initiatives, while another 34% expect similar outcomes within a year.
Consumer expectations also play a role in shaping business priorities around AI adoption. According to an IBM survey of over 2,000 UK consumers, 74% feel comfortable with AI-powered assistants influencing their decisions, including making personalised suggestions or handling household finances. Seventy-nine percent trust interactive tools like chatbots for reliable results, and 72% enjoy using them. For businesses seeking consumer adoption, convenience and speed were cited by 40%, data security by 37%, and round-the-clock support by 35%.
However, measuring return on investment remains challenging for many firms. Key obstacles include high initial costs affecting short-term ROI (37%), difficulties attributing business outcomes directly to AI efforts (35%), and a shortage of necessary skills or expertise (31%). Aligning investments with core objectives—such as cost savings, revenue growth, and customer experience—is recommended to overcome these hurdles.
Industry experts emphasise the importance of reskilling employees to maximise AI’s value:
“UK businesses are clearly seeing the productivity benefits of AI, with two-thirds already reporting significant gains. But the real opportunity lies ahead—unlocking even greater value through workforce transformation and upskilling. By investing in AI skills training across all levels, organisations can not only outperform their peers but build a future-ready workforce that drives innovation and resilience,” said Leon Butler, Chief Executive at IBM UK and Ireland.
Sue Daley OBE, Director of Tech and Innovation at techUK added: “Adoption and use of AI within organisations of all size and sector presents both opportunities and challenge. While AI offers immense benefits, businesses can only realise its full potential when their workforce is equipped with the right knowledge.”
“IBM’s Race for ROI study highlights the importance of skills in the face of this issue. To succeed in the long-term, businesses must make AI reskilling a key part of their employee development strategy. This will empower employees to embrace and leverage AI’s potential, unlocking its full value across the whole business.”
The report recommends several priorities for enterprise leaders: establishing effective operating models for deploying AI; promoting literacy about artificial intelligence throughout organisations; preparing for rapid technological change; understanding regulatory risks; and forming cross-company boards focused on ethical oversight.
The methodology involved surveying business leaders aged over 25 from various sectors currently using AI tools between September 8-12, 2025.
For more information or access to “The Race for ROI” report visit The Race for ROI: How AI is transforming enterprise productivity in EMEA
