The incorporation of AI by small businesses has yet to meaningfully impact the size of workforces, despite soaring adoption rates, new research suggests.
According to research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in partnership with Atos, more than half (54%) of UK firms are actively using AI, up sharply from the 35% tracked by BCC last year and 25% the year before.
Despite this mass adoption and the potential of the technology to displace human workers, BCC reports that 95% of SMEs using AI have said it has made no impact on workforce size over the past year, with the bulk of firms saying job roles have remained unchanged.
While certain companies, notably larger enterprises in professional services such as KPMG, have reduced graduate roles, the research suggests that for now, the smaller businesses that make up the majority of companies in the UK are not yet downsizing real staff in favour of AI.
Though this may come as a comfort to those fearing AI-driven job losses, Michael Herron, head of Atos UK and Ireland warned there could still be danger ahead.
“AI has great potential to benefit the productivity and wealth of our country, but it will also have a fundamental impact on the workforce,” Herron said.
“We must ensure that its use and adoption is to the advantage of both society and the economy, which can be achieved by putting people at the heart of AI-related change.
“It’s the job of all political and industry leaders to help our workforce to embrace the new AI-age. To build a strong future with robust employment opportunities, we must be innovative with our thinking, work together to share our knowledge and experience, invest in training and skills and develop strategies for how we can reshape the workforce.”