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In today’s world new technological frontiers are being achieved every day but AI is perhaps the foremost tool gaining traction and attracting global attention, perhaps because of the great opportunities it offers and the ethical questions it presents. And perhaps because what really sets it apart is that it offers immense power that's readily available and increasingly accessible to all.
Some businesses, sectors and indeed and some governments are welcoming AI with open arms, but the reception is not consistent everywhere. According to BSI’s exploration of business activity and attitudes towards AI, which drew on the views of nearly 1,000 business leaders globally, more than three quarters of them (76%) feel that organisations will be at a competitive disadvantage if they do not invest in AI.
To understand the data, we developed BSI’s International AI Maturity Model, assessing and weighting a suite of measures including organizational confidence and readiness. The model identified India as the most AI mature market, scoring 4.58 to China’s 4.25. By comparison, the UK and Japan were found to be less mature relative to others, scoring a 1.8 and 1.3 respectively – potentially influenced by factors including policy direction or media narratives focused on risk rather than opportunity.
Clearly, some organisations are investing more heavily, or prioritizing proactive communications and training, or have simply developed more positive attitudes to and greater trust in AI. The fact that the Maturity Model shows greater engagement with AI in India and China may reflect that both are countries in which AI has been made a strategic growth priority by governments and media.
The UK picture
Moving against this trend the UK stands out for its apparently slower progress, surpassed only by Japan. Considering the media and political buzz about AI here, that might seem surprising. But our more risk-focused media and political culture may mean there is a natural inclination to caution when it comes to new technologies and a gap in trust. In fact, globally 78% say they have greater trust in AI than a year ago, whereas just under two thirds (64%) in the UK agree.
Across the board engagement was high, with most business leaders saying their businesses encourage the use of AI (77%) – yet this fell to 65% for the UK. And while two thirds (65%) globally agreed that innovation is more important than protecting existing jobs, the UK was particularly resistant to this, with 37% rejecting the statement entirely.
What can UK businesses do?
Crucially, AI’s mass adoption and integration is a marathon, not a sprint. The UK isn’t at a disadvantage for being more cautious – in fact this may offer businesses more time to get the guardrails right and build the trust that will be key to unlocking the opportunities for the UK. So what can they do to achieve that?
Firstly, it’s about ensuring the opportunity isn’t limited to large businesses with deep pockets. There is an opportunity for Britain’s mid-size and large organizations to partner with small businesses including in their supply chain, to share successes with AI and support adoption across the piece. Those that are out in front need to lead and inspire and set the standard for an AI future in which the technology is a force for good.
This includes embedding high standards from the outset. There is work to be done here as 87% of UK respondents recognize the importance of a safe and ethical approach to AI. BSI recently published the first international AI management system standard (BS ISO/IEC 42001) - however only 13% of UK respondents were aware of significant moves by their business to implement such policies and processes.
There are other critical considerations for UK business leaders. Thinking long term is vital; looking at AI as part of wider business strategy not as something that sits apart from this. Once the foundations are in place, businesses can optimise and evolve their AI strategy as technology advances. Notably, just 32% UK businesses have an AI strategy.
More broadly, UK businesses can take steps now to instil trust in AI in the wider business ecosystem by clarifying priorities and taking the action needed to deliver. At present there is a gulf between what business leaders say are priorities to instil trust in AI and the extent to which action is being taken, whether around guardrails, training or stakeholder engagement. Now is a key moment for UK leaders to act on these areas.
Regardless of where UK businesses are on their AI journey today, such steps could enable them to make not just good but great use of AI in every area of life and shape a safe and ethical AI ecosystem that we can all have confidence in.
Author: Craig Civil, Director of Data Science and AI, BSI
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techUK's AI Adoption Working Group is compromised of organisations from across sectors and markets within our membership. It provides members with the opportunity to discuss the barriers to AI adoption and how best to overcome these challenges, as well as to discuss AI adoption opportunities and areas for cross-industry collaboration and engagement with Government.
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
His role is to help techUK members of all sizes and across all sectors to adopt AI at scale. This includes identifying the barriers to adoption, considering solutions and how best to maximise AI's potential.
Prior to joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, government affairs and public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales and marketing and FinTech.
Usman is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science (MSc), BPP Law School (GDL and LLB) and Queen Mary University of London (BA).
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
Tess is the Programme Manager for Digital Ethics and AI Safety at techUK.
Prior to techUK Tess worked as an AI Ethics Analyst, which revolved around the first dataset on Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR), and then later the development of a large language model focused on answering ESG questions for Chief Sustainability Officers. Alongside other responsibilities, she distributed the dataset on CDR to investors who wanted to further understand the digital risks of their portfolio, she drew narratives and patterns from the data, and collaborate with leading institutes to support academics in AI ethics. She has authored articles for outlets such as ESG Investor, Montreal AI Ethics Institute, The FinTech Times, and Finance Digest. Covered topics like CDR, AI ethics, and tech governance, leveraging company insights to contribute valuable industry perspectives. Tess is Vice Chair of the YNG Technology Group at YPO, an AI Literacy Advisor at Humans for AI, a Trustworthy AI Researcher at Z-Inspection Trustworthy AI Labs and an Ambassador for AboutFace.
Tess holds a MA in Philosophy and AI from Northeastern University London, where she specialised in biotechnologies and ableism, following a BA from McGill University where she joint-majored in International Development and Philosophy, minoring in communications. Tess’s primary research interests include AI literacy, AI music systems, the impact of AI on disability rights and the portrayal of AI in media (narratives). In particular, Tess seeks to operationalise AI ethics and use philosophical principles to make emerging technologies explainable, and ethical.
Outside of work Tess enjoys kickboxing, ballet, crochet and jazz music.
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
Jake has been the Policy Manager for Skills and Future of Work since May 2022, supporting techUK's work to empower the UK to skill, attract and retain the brightest global talent, and prepare for the digital transformations of the future workplace.
Previously, Jake was the Programme Assistant for Policy. He joined techUK in March 2019 and has also worked across the EU Exit, International Trade, and Cloud, Data Analytics and AI programmes.
He also holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Sussex, as well as a BA(Hons) in International Politics from Aberystwyth University. During his time at Aberystwyth University, he won the International Politics Dissertation Prize.
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