Enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to use AI could positively impact the economy. Credit: Coffeemill/shutterstock.

Trust in AI is integral to promoting adoption of the technology by SMEs, according to comments made by the UK’s tech minister, Saqib Bhatti. 

In a 2023 GlobalData survey, around 20% of businesses stated that they already had a moderate level of AI adoption in their workflows.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Despite the rising ubiquity of AI, more than 40% of businesses answered that they only partially understood how AI works. 

To promote the safe use of AI by businesses, especially in SMEs, Bhatti stated that building public trust in the emerging technology is essential to its success. 

“Obviously the demand [for AI] is there and we as a government obviously recognise there’s risks there as well,” he stated. 

Bhatti comments were in response to a report from Enterprise Nation, which identified that AI safety concerns were the main barriers preventing UK SMEs from adopting the technology. 

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Enabling SMEs to use AI could positively impact the economy as leaders and workforces have more time to focus their efforts on growing their business, thanks to the automation of clerical tasks by AI. 

While AI can help SMEs manage their time more efficiently, the CEO of sustainable software company AdSignal, Tom Dunning, stated that companies need to consider the environmental impact of using AI. 

“The reality is that most businesses using AI don’t actually need to use AI, they just jump on it because it is the latest trend,” he stated.

“The network traffic that results from AI and the training of large language models has already had a detrimental effect on the environment and this will only rise exponentially while awareness remains low and more businesses blindly jump on the AI trends,” he added.

Dunning said governments should work alongside the tech industry to help reduce AI’s carbon footprint before irreversible damage occurs.