SMBs are turning to AI to solve their problems - but many are still cautious to go all-in

Date:
Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:08:35 +0000

Description:
SMBs plan to invest more in AI, but theyre waiting to overcome short-term hurdles before they go all-in, reports claim.

FULL STORY ======================================================================SMB leaders are worried they dont have enough time to focus on growth AI could hold the key, but skills shortages are still blocking progress Many are preparing to invest more if the economy allows

We already know how important SMBs are to the global economy in the UK, for example, these firms make up 99% of the business population but many risk falling behind if they dont make use of AI, new reports have claimed.

Research from Amex says over a quarter (28%) of SME leaders struggle to step away from day-to-day tasks, and 24% agree there arent enough hours in the day to grow their business.

To tackle this, nearly half (43%) of small businesses and 53% of medium-sized businesses plan to adopt AI in the next 12 months, and 60% of SMEs expect stronger performance in the final three months of 2025 compared with the past two years. Is AI enough to save our SMBs?

Separate Barclays research revealed nine in 10 (89%) UK businesses plan to
use AI within two years to help with data analysis, forecasting, customer experience and cost reduction.

However, nearly three years after the public preview launch of ChatGPT (credited with popularizing AI tools ), companies are still facing the same
AI and digital skills shortages a concern thats even more pronounced among financial services, IT/telecoms and the tech sector itself.

AI is becoming a key tool to drive innovation, encourage investment and upskilling to lift productivity, Barclays UK Corporate Banking CEO Matt Hammerstein noted.

Barclays found UK businesses are planning to invest in training (42%),
digital products (37%) and R&D (37%) to support long-term growth, but the impending and delayed Autumn Budget is holding many back in the short-term.

Inflation (33%) and rising utility costs (22%) are seen as major barriers to business growth, with 39% having to adjust budgets as a result of energy
costs and many others investing in efficiency or renewables. A further one in four (26%) have passed costs on to customers.

Barclays Business Banking MD Abdul Qureshi noted optimism: Despite economic and energy challenges, UK businesses are pushing ahead with AI and skills investment to unlock productivity and growth. You might also like Weve listed the best productivity tools around right now Check out our roundup of the
best online learning platforms UK businesses are quickly turning to AI to
help navigate two big issues - economic uncertainty and energy



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/smbs-are-turning-to-ai-to-solve-their-problems-b ut-many-are-still-cautious-to-go-all-in


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