Unlocking Britain’s next era of productivity: Building a nation of AI trailblazers

Jun 30, 2026

The top 15% of AI users report stronger performance reviews, pay increases and substantial time savings. The challenge now is upskilling the remaining 85% to enable everyone to use AI to unlock personal progression.

Kate Alessi

Vice President and Managing Director, Google UK & Ireland

The UK’s AI adoption: fast, but uneven

We’ve worked with Public First on one of the most comprehensive UK AI adoption studies to date. The research reveals that workplace AI adoption has doubled in the past year, (up to 73%, from 34% in 2025). Yet, this momentum reveals an uneven adoption curve, where only a minority - the top 15% - are significantly more likely to report promotions, pay rises and faster career progression.

Our analysis reveals that AI usage is a spectrum, with most of the UK’s workforce still stuck in early-stage adoption. We’ve segmented the workforce into four progressive stages:

- ‘AI Spectators’ (10%) - People who aren’t yet experimenting with AI

- ‘AI Experimenters’ (38%) - Beginners testing the waters with simple tasks

- ‘The AI Practitioners’ (37%) - Intermediates using AI as a reliable daily tool.

- ‘AI Trailblazers’ (15%) - Advanced users pushing boundaries and finding entirely new ways to work.

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