Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to make the UK a world leader in AI technology, but we are yet to embrace this technology with the same level of enthusiasm as our international counterparts. UK businesses must embrace AI to remain productive and stay ahead of the curve. Here’s how resellers can take action to tackle AI scepticism
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on SME News.
UK small businesses are at risk of falling behind when it comes to the uptake and adoption of AI technology, according to a report which looked at the benefits of AI use and the perceived obstacles to integration. The results showed that younger respondents were more enthusiastic about AI advancement and more likely to adopt it into their working lives. However, one of the greatest concerns amongst those aged 45 and over was that their jobs may be at risk from AI.
Employees at smaller companies expressed scepticism about the potential of AI to enhance efficiency and save time. A significant 41% of individuals working in companies with 50 or fewer employees disagreed or were uncertain about the statement – “AI can help me save time and make my job easier.”
There is a clear requirement for a better understanding of the benefits of AI, and this is where resellers can provide valuable support and guidance to both their teams and customers. The report highlighted the critical role that small businesses play in the national economy and why their success is integral to overall growth and competitiveness. However, success can only be found by those adaptive to new technologies.
Given that recent findings have shown that productivity growth in the UK has slipped to its lowest level in a decade, it is particularly concerning that the very individuals responsible for shaping the future workforce show hesitancy towards AI.
While fears over AI integration are understandable, business leaders should view AI as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. As trusted sources, resellers are uniquely positioned to champion the use of new technology as a transformative tool and help business owners to understand how it can contribute to productivity and innovation.
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