AI Will Help Your Business, Only If You Invest In Your People

New research showing the positive financial impact of artificial intelligence on UK businesses highlights a major opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises - but only if they invest in developing the digital skills of their workforce.

That is the warning from Manny Athwal, award-winning founder and CEO of the UK’s largest computing and AI educator, after research suggested UK businesses adopting AI are already seeing measurable improvements in performance. 

According to the latest Lloyds Business Barometer, nearly nine in 10 UK businesses (87%) using AI report increased productivity, while almost half (48%) say the technology had boosted profits over the past year.

Of those seeing a profit increase, nearly half (48%) reported gains of 11% or more, with a further 38% recording increases between 6-10%.

Investment levels also suggest AI adoption is becoming increasingly accessible to businesses of all sizes. Two-thirds of UK firms say they have invested in AI, with most spending less than £25,000 to enhance their capabilities.

For SMEs in particular, these findings reinforce that AI is no longer a future technology reserved for large corporations, but a resource that is already delivering tangible commercial benefits.

However, according to Manny Athwal, founder of Wolverhampton and Birmingham-based School of Coding & AI, the real differentiator will not be the technology itself, but how organisations prepare their people to use it.

“Artificial intelligence isn’t something businesses can simply choose to opt in or out of; it’s something that is already reshaping every sector of the economy,” said Manny, winner of the Trailblazer award in the LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2025.

“Whether it’s a multinational corporation or a small family-run business, AI will transform how organisations operate. But the companies that succeed won’t necessarily be the ones buying the most advanced tools, they’ll be the ones investing in the skills of their workforce.”

Manny warned that the pace of technological change was currently outstripping the UK’s ability to develop the digital skills required to support it. AI systems are already embedded in everyday processes, from analysing data and predicting behaviour to automating tasks that previously defined entire job roles.

Across sectors, the technology is being used to detect fraud in financial services, analyse medical scans in healthcare, and power autonomous transport systems.

Alongside developments in cloud computing, data analytics, the Internet of Things and immersive technologies, AI is rapidly reshaping how businesses operate.

“The biggest challenge businesses face isn’t the technology itself, it’s the growing skills gap,” Manny said.

“If organisations want to remain competitive, they must prioritise education, upskilling and digital literacy. This isn’t just about training software engineers; it’s about giving every employee the confidence to work alongside intelligent systems and use technology to enhance their roles.”

Manny said the perception that AI will simply replace jobs risks slowing adoption among smaller firms.

“It’s true that certain tasks will disappear, but new roles, industries and opportunities are emerging at the same time,” he said. 

“Businesses that develop adaptable, tech-literate teams will be the ones best positioned to capture the growth AI can deliver. AI can drive productivity, unlock insights and support smarter decision-making, but the real value will come from businesses that empower their people to use it effectively.”

About School of Coding & AI

School of Coding & AI was founded in 2017 and is now the UK’s largest, multi award-winning Computer Science and Coding education company, teaching thousands of children and adults each month. Working with hundreds of schools, colleges and businesses each year, SoC delivers STEM, Coding, Computer Science, AI and Cyber Security courses.

SoC helps governments across the UK and 11 European countries to build strategies and methodologies to implement tech education into schools, youth and adult education. This helps countries become more innovative and reduces unemployment, whilst building the workforce for the future.