SMEs are prioritising adopting AI to chase growth in 2026

Business owners are hustling to develop AI capabilities over the coming year. According to a new survey, small businesses have singled out technology as offering their best path to growth. 

However, the findings, which came from both sides of the Atlantic, also uncovered a gap between the resources that US businesses and UK ventures are putting into AI uptake—including seeking expert advice and training their staff—with the US pulling ahead. 

The Government is aware of how fast other countries are iterating, and is pushing hard to fill gaps in AI knowledge. It recently announced that it is backing an expansion of Skills England’s free AI training, which, it is hoped, will see at least two million SME employees taught how to use AI effectively at work by 2030.

AI prioritised

For the survey, American Express Global Business Travel and Ipsos gathered the views of 500 business leaders, both based in the UK and the US. As reported by IT Brief, they discovered that 78% of businesses view adopting new technology as a focus over 2026. 

Becky Power, Vice President of SME Client Management at American Express Global Business Travel, said that the findings mark a significant shift in mentality towards AI and other technologies. 

“Our research shows small and medium-sized businesses are entering a critical phase. AI has moved from a ‘nice-to-have’ to a business imperative. The companies leading this shift are those building and implementing AI operations to solve the talent gap, while doubling down on impactful human connections and relationships that drive new business,” she said.

Different deployment in the US

However, there is a difference in how US businesses and those on this side of the ocean are approaching their technological transformations. 

Over in the US, 40% of businesses shared that they believed getting additional AI advice would help their business grow. In the UK, the percentage was 10% less. That said, in both countries, AI and automation topped the list of advisory services businesses planned to seek out. 

US firms are also ahead of the curve in finding AI-savvy talent to bring in-house. The results revealed that 36% of US SMEs have appointed AI personnel or teams. In the UK, this figure sat at 25%.

Growth encouraged from the top down

The AI talent and knowledge gap is now a national focus in the UK. Yesterday, the Government’s Business and Trade Committee announced “seven priorities for UK economic revival”, and placed the “AI revolution” at the top of the list. 

A result of a year of investigations, the list aims to determine “the issues that matter most to Britain’s economic future”. It lists economic security, regulatory reform, and fostering enterprise; but it is AI, productivity, and the future workforce that is reported as most important. 

The team detailed that its work will now involve “examining how Britain can lead the AI revolution while ensuring workers have the skills and protections needed for the jobs of tomorrow.” Liam Byrne, MP and Chair of the Committee, explained that “AI is rewriting the rules of work”, and the committee promises to drive action on this. 

Playing catch up

While this latest survey suggests that the UK is behind the US in AI deployment among SMEs, other reports have suggested that we are behind many other nations, too. 

We reported last month that, according to research from KPMG, 73% of Brits have received no AI training or education. This research also exposed the fact that the UK was in the bottom third for AI literacy and training, out of the 47 countries surveyed.

In the UK, Government figures reveal that AI-related employment increased to 86,139 in 2024, which was a 33% increase from 2023. The Committee wrote: “Diffusion of AI technologies throughout the economy will be the key to its economic impact.”

However, there are barriers to uptake, especially financial and staffing considerations for SMEs and especially in the current turbulent market conditions. The Government will need to pull out the stops to support businesses otherwise we will continue to fall behind.