A 3rd of British companies are planning to put money into synthetic intelligence in 2026 as corporations sharpen their concentrate on productiveness, abilities and expertise in an more and more aggressive market.
Analysis from Lloyds Financial institution reveals that AI is turning into a central pillar of development methods, with firms seeking to automate processes, enhance effectivity and strengthen long-term competitiveness.
The Lloyds Enterprise Barometer, based mostly on a survey of 1,200 corporations, discovered that productiveness enchancment is the highest precedence for companies heading into the subsequent 12 months. Alongside AI funding, 35 per cent of firms stated they plan to put money into group coaching in 2026, recognising that new applied sciences require new abilities to ship actual worth.
Paul Kempster, managing director for business banking protection at Lloyds Enterprise & Industrial Banking, stated the findings highlighted a shift in the direction of extra strategic, future-focused funding.
“These are priorities that can assist companies’ long-term development,” he stated. “They assist corporations not solely capitalise on alternatives within the 12 months forward, but additionally construct sturdy foundations properly past 2026.”
Earlier analysis from Lloyds underlines why AI is attracting rising consideration. In a research revealed in June, 82 per cent of companies utilizing AI stated it had boosted productiveness, whereas 76 per cent reported an enchancment in profitability. Retailers reported the strongest productiveness features, whereas producers have been most probably to see a optimistic affect on earnings.
Regardless of the momentum, limitations stay. Companies cited the price of AI instruments, shortages of specialist abilities, knowledge privateness issues and power utilization as components slowing adoption. Even so, 56 per cent of corporations stated they intend to make new AI investments over the subsequent 12 months, whereas 1 / 4 of these but to undertake the expertise stated they plan to take action.
The barometer additionally factors to a modest enchancment in sentiment. Total enterprise confidence rose by 5 factors in December to 47 per cent, up ten factors over the course of 2025. Optimism concerning the wider UK economic system climbed to a four-month excessive, with many corporations anticipating worth pressures to proceed easing.
Nevertheless, warning stays evident on the patron facet. Early indicators recommend weaker high-street efficiency forward of Christmas, with in-store footfall on the ultimate Saturday earlier than Christmas down nearly 7 per cent 12 months on 12 months.
Taken collectively, the information paints an image of companies wanting inward, investing in expertise and folks to drive effectivity, whereas remaining alert to fragile client demand and ongoing financial uncertainty.
