- 72% of UK SME owners now trust AI more than they did a year ago
- Despite widespread uptake, over half (52%) of UK leaders remain concerned that their business is not utilising AI as much as it could be
- Nearly half (43%) of UK SME leaders still need clearer guidance on how to adopt and use AI securely
European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are rapidly integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations, driven by economic pressures, competitive demands, and the promise of greater productivity. However, new research from Sharp Europe, a leading provider of business technology products and services, reveals that while 72% of UK SME owners now trust AI more than they did a year ago, concerns remain about the workforce’s ability to keep up.
According to a Censuswide study conducted in June 2025, which surveyed 2,500 SME leaders across 10 European markets, 52% cite ongoing economic uncertainty as the main reason for accelerating AI use, with 53% feeling pressure to keep pace with competitors already leveraging these technologies. However, despite widespread uptake, 55% of leaders remain concerned that their business is not utilising AI as much, or as effectively, as it could be.
“AI has moved from the back office to the core of how SMEs work, compete, and grow,” says Roland Singer, Vice President of IT Services, Sharp Europe. “Our research shows we’ve reached a turning point – AI is no longer a ‘nice to have.’ Businesses are asking not if they should use it, but how fast and how effectively they can scale it.”
A significant number of SME owners (64%) report that AI is fully embedded in their business, with over half (51%) believing AI will open more opportunities for employees to develop new skills. However, employee anxiety persists on the use of AI at work, with 35% of leaders saying staff are worried about their lack of tech skills, and 34% reporting a lack of trust in AI-generated outputs. Ethical concerns are also prevalent, with a third (33%) believing employees fear being seen as taking the “easier” route by using AI.
To address these challenges, 39% of SMEs have trained all employees on AI tools. Additionally, 36% have secured their data for AI integration, and 33% have invested in new licences to support ongoing use.
Reflecting on the UK findings, Mark Williams, Chief Operations and Technology Officer at Sharp UK adds:
“UK SMEs are clearly embracing AI, but adoption is just the first step. The real challenge now is building the confidence, skills, and governance frameworks so businesses can use AI safely and effectively. For many UK organisations, the tools are there, but the internal know-how can be strengthened. That’s why investment in training, clear policies, and secure data practices are key to getting the most out of AI and what it can offer businesses. Following the adoption of AI in the workforce, businesses are now exploring where these new technologies can take them next. The next step for AI lies in developing Agentic tools that enhance efficiency and shift the focus to the execution of AI, not just the building blocks to test the technology. At Sharp, we’re exploring and building this for our clients to allow them to fully harness the power of the platform.”
Despite this adoption and training, nearly half (43%) of SME leaders say they still need clearer guidance on how to adopt and use AI efficiently and securely.
Sharp UK’s Copilot Consulting service has been designed to help SMEs adopt AI through a structured, five-stage process. This focuses on securing data for AI integration through an audit, tailored employee training and ongoing performance reviews.
