AI technology seen as solution to boost UK productivity

Research conducted by Celonis has revealed that 81% of UK businesses are contending with low employee morale, with stress and burnout cited as significant factors affecting productivity.

The survey, which encompassed 500 UK business leaders, highlighted that more than a quarter of company heads identified employee stress and burnout, primarily due to being overstretched, as barriers to productivity. This challenge could potentially be alleviated through the utilisation of AI-powered automation.

AI-led technologies have emerged as a preferred solution, with 46% of business leaders considering their implementation as beneficial for enhancing long-term employee productivity. Additionally, over half of the respondents (54%) are seeking governmental assistance for technological innovation as part of their strategy to foster economic growth.

In the meantime, businesses are employing human resource strategies to boost morale and productivity in the immediate term, with 51% investing in employee upskilling and 46% offering hybrid working arrangements to retain talented staff.

However, the effectiveness of current technological tools remains a challenge. Of the senior decision-makers, 46% spend over two hours each week ensuring that automated processes operate correctly. The importance of data input accuracy for AI technologies is underscored, as it is vital to close the gap between AI potential and performance by using Process Intelligence to supply necessary data and context for process automation.

Rupal Karia, Country Leader UKI & MEA at Celonis, noted, "Businesses are facing an uphill struggle to drive growth and regain productivity, thanks to ineffective technology and employees feeling burnt out. We have also seen a divide emerge as many major employers have demanded a full return to office, a position at odds with nearly half of businesses seeking to retain staff by offering hybrid work."

Karia highlighted that technological solutions like Process Intelligence and AI could help tackle these issues, suggesting, "The good news is that leaders can tackle both issues through technological innovations like Process Intelligence and AI which can automate repetitive or mundane tasks and free up employee time to focus on more valuable activities. The government's efforts to ease AI adoption are in tune with business leaders who are optimistic that government support can help implement AI-led technologies to boost productivity and reduce frustration among their workers. Both must understand that without business context, something Process Intelligence provides, AI lacks the necessary understanding to be truly game changing."

The findings also revealed that, contrary to common generational stereotypes, Millennials aged 31-40 are perceived as the most productive workers in the workplace. This demographic is found to possess significant experience and enthusiasm for AI, suggesting that a wider implementation of AI tools could help employees in other age groups perform equally as well.

These insights build on past findings from Celonis in November, indicating that 87% of companies feel their productivity is impeded, with many believing AI could stimulate more economic growth compared to laws that lower taxes or reduce regulation.