- SME AI adopters save 5.2 hours per decision maker per week, but adoption is not the same
- 37% of sole traders and 25% of micro businesses do not use tools like ChatGPT
- OpenAI believes exposure and experimentation can drive usage
New data from OpenAI shows that UK workers are already comfortable with artificial intelligence, with the technology now saving the average SME decision maker an average of 5.2 hours per week, which equates to more than half a day.
But while AI is having a profound productivity impact on some workers, others risk being left behind, with as many as one in five (19%) UK SMEs not using AI at all.
This appears to be even more pronounced among the smaller businesses, where only 5% of medium-sized businesses are considered non-users, compared to 37% of sole proprietorships and 25% of micro-enterprises.
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OpenAI says UK SMEs are ready to unlock the benefits of AI
The report suggests that the fundamentals are already in place, allowing SMEs to free up some time using even some of the most basic AI tools, but divides are already beginning to emerge. As well as the lower uptake among smaller businesses, OpenAI also highlighted regional divides with as much as 93% adoption rates in London compared to around 75% in Yorkshire & Humber, the South West and Scotland.
Figures also point to reduced adoption among older workers, with a significant 40% of decision makers aged 55+ not using AI compared to just 8% of 18-34 year olds.
Citing benefits such as time savings, reduced errors and lower costs, OpenAI says workers can reinvest those 5.2 weekly hours back into creative thinking, strategic planning and product improvements, but more needs to be done to encourage AI use among non-adopters.
A joint effort between ChatGPT maker Booking.com and Enterprise Nation clearly indicates that exposure and experimentation is key, with a London-based scheme offering hands-on training, demos and peer learning opportunities, but with adoption at its peak in London, the company could do better by expanding this to other regions.
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