30% of UK Businesses Now Use AI, and Admin Roles Feel It Most
30% of UK businesses used at least one AI technology in September 2026, up from 9% in September 2023, according to the ONS. Among larger firms using AI, 38% said administrative and clerical roles were most affected.
By Entrepreneur Group · Published · Updated
Three in ten UK businesses (30%) used at least one AI technology in September 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics. That is up from 9% in September 2023 and broadly the same as in June 2026, when the figure was 29%. Among businesses with 10 or more employees, 38% used AI.
The survey also asked about the effect on jobs. Of businesses with 10 or more employees that use AI, 38% said administrative and clerical roles were the most affected, and 6% said they had reduced headcount as a result.
Who is using AI
- Small businesses: 29% of businesses with fewer than 10 employees used AI, close to the overall figure.
- Larger businesses: the ONS reports 51% use among its largest size band. The bulletin gives this band as 250 or more employees in its main points and 100 or more in the body text, so treat the exact cut-off with caution.
- By industry: information and communication had the highest use, at 60%.
The most common tools among businesses with 10 or more employees were text generation using large language models (21%) and visual content creation (19%). In June, the equivalent figures across all businesses were 17% and 14%, as Staffing Industry Analysts reported from the earlier ONS release.
The effect on jobs
Among businesses with 10 or more employees using AI:
- 38% said administrative and clerical roles were the most affected, up from 35% in June and 29% in December 2025.
- 24% said creative or design roles were most affected.
- 6% reported a reduction in headcount because of AI.
- Fewer than 1% reported an increase in headcount.
"Affected" covers changes to tasks as well as numbers of staff, so the large majority of AI users are changing how work is done rather than cutting jobs.
These are official statistics in development, based on 9,933 responses to a survey of 38,592 businesses between 21 September and 4 October 2026, so the ONS advises using them with caution.
What it means for small businesses
This section is editorial guidance.
With nearly a third of businesses using AI, it is becoming a normal part of office work rather than an experiment. That does not mean every business needs it. The useful question is which repetitive task it could do better.
- Start with admin. Admin is where businesses report the biggest effect. Drafting routine emails, summarising documents and organising notes are low-risk places to start.
- Keep a person responsible. Check AI outputs before they reach a customer, and do not put confidential or personal data into a tool until you have read its terms and data settings.
- Talk to your team. If AI changes someone's role, explain what will change and what training you will provide. That matters more as the Employment Rights Act tightens rules on dismissal from 2027.
- Measure the result. Note how long a task took before and after. If AI does not save time or improve quality, stop using it for that task.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of UK businesses use AI?
30% of UK businesses used at least one AI technology in September 2026, according to the ONS Business Insights and Conditions Survey, up from 9% in September 2023.
How many small businesses use AI in the UK?
29% of businesses with fewer than 10 employees used at least one AI technology in September 2026, according to the ONS.
Is AI reducing jobs in UK businesses?
6% of businesses with 10 or more employees that use AI reported reducing headcount as a result in September 2026. Fewer than 1% reported an increase. Administrative and clerical roles were the most affected.
Sources
- ONS: Business insights and impact on the UK economy: 8 October 2026 (BICS wave 165) (reviewed 27 October 2026)
- Staffing Industry Analysts: UK business AI adoption rises to 29% in 2026 (ONS June 2026 data) (reviewed 27 October 2026)