Survey of Scots businesses shows 94% are using AI with majority using the technology ‘every day’ 

A new survey of Scottish businesses ranging from small and medium sized firms to large corporates has revealed that 94 per cent are now using artificial intelligence.

According to research carried out among 50 firms by Edinburgh AI specialist Zudu, 80 per cent of companies are using the technology every day across a range of business functions.

A survey carried out during Q2 of 2026 found that 94 per cent of respondents are now using AI, 38 per cent have applied AI across the business, with 19 per cent in more specific areas. 

Almost 70 per cent are seeing either a clear return on investment from AI or early positive signs and 75 per cent rate the tech as ‘highly important’ to their future business success.

“AI is increasingly viewed as a core business capability, rather than an emerging technology trend,” said Zudu CEO Paul Duffy.

1 in 4 Scottish businesses polled have been using AI for more than 2 years, while 1 in 3 started using AI over the last 6 months.

In terms of areas of the business where AI is being applied most by companies, 77 per cent of AI use is in marketing and content, 62 per cent in data and reporting, 38 per cent in sales, 38 per cent in operations, 31 per cent in software development, 31 per cent in finance and administration, 23 per cent in customer support, and 15 per cent in HR. 

Other key findings included that 80 per cent of businesses are using AI every day, leadership teams manage AI strategy in almost 50 per cent of Scottish businesses, 53 per cent have paid subscriptions for AI platforms, 40 per cent have an allocated AI budget, and 1 in 5 businesses are building custom-made AI internally. 

Tony Quinn, CEO of Glasgow-headquartered SilverCloud, an IT and cyber security group who participated in Zudu’s survey, said: “The stat that stood out for me was how few Scottish businesses said their IT team owns the AI within the business.  We see it every day, with AI running in three or four places across a business that nobody in IT knew about.”

SilverCloud CEO Quinn added: “The £23 billion contribution from AI to the national economy by 2035 being targeted by the Scottish Government is the right ambition, but businesses are already moving faster than the support around them. The ones who’ll get there are the ones who name an owner, write the rules down and ask for help on the bits they don’t have.”

When it comes to barriers to AI adoption, 69 per cent of businesses cited lack of expertise, 38 per cent referenced data and compliance concerns, 31 per cent said costs, and 31 per cent said time constraint.  63 per cent of respondents said they would use external support to better implement AI. 

On concerns about AI, 93 per cent said accuracy, 53 per cent said data privacy, 20 per cent said reputational risk, and 13 per cent said regulation. 

“In summary, AI adoption is now widespread, the biggest barrier is capability not cost, businesses want to move beyond experimentation, to which many are seeking external support, and AI is now overwhelmingly a strategic priority,” added Duffy.

He said: “Many organisations are using AI tools but have not progressed into custom solutions, structured automation, governance, or measurement of business outcomes. This creates a significant opportunity for organisations to bridge the gap between experimentation and implementation.”