UK organisations to boost AI investment by over 25% in 2025
UK organisations are expected to significantly increase their investment in artificial intelligence by more than 25% in 2025 as employees express approval and demand greater access to AI technologies.
The Freshworks AI Workplace Report indicates that 54% of organisations plan to bolster their AI spending by an average of 29% in 2025. This rise in investment corresponds with the growing appreciation for AI among employees, with 80% now regarding it as a potent tool for enhancing their work.
According to the report, 61% of employees see AI as essential to their daily tasks, supporting the trend towards increased organisational spending. Only a small fraction, 4%, of UK organisations are planning to cut back on their AI investment this year.
Ian Tickle, Senior Vice President and General Manager International at Freshworks, noted the importance of expanding AI investment. "The significant jump in AI investment by UK organisations underscores the transformative impact AI is having on business operations and employee experiences. As both the accessibility and resulting benefits of AI tools continue to increase, businesses across the UK are now ramping up investment levels to deliver them even greater returns."
AI's impact on workplace efficiency and productivity is perceived positively by 72% of UK workers, a factor that is expected to further spur investment in AI technologies. AI's enhanced capabilities contribute not only to productivity improvements but also aid in streamlining organisational operations.
Alongside increased AI spending, organisations are focusing on enhancing employee skills in AI usage. Nearly 63% of organisations plan to invest in AI upskilling courses for their workforce this year, reflecting the growing expectation for employees to be knowledgeable about AI.
The report highlights the confidence workers have in AI tools, with 64% of them rating these tools as excellent in quality. This positive assessment suggests that greater AI investment could further improve employee experiences, making work more efficient and effective.
Tickle added, "We've seen the positive impact our AI-powered solutions have on organisations across all sectors - including helping businesses streamline their operations, improve productivity, and ultimately provide better services to their customers. Our uncomplicated solutions are powerful yet easy to implement, easy to use, and easy to configure - and are built to make a real difference in weeks, not months, let alone years."
