‍

As I embark on a new chapter at F+L it’s given me an opportunity to take a step back, reflect and consider the inevitable transformation that AI brings to SME’s and larger enterprises, not only in the way they work internally in regards to their processes, but also how it can assist their customers in the ways that they engage with the brand.

AI has been around for years, even decades, but its rapid acceleration from late 2022, in part due to the launch of ChatGPT thrusts it into the mainstream where nearly each and every individual has the ability to access and use AI in a way they had never done before.

‍

In a recent survey by the Office for National Statistics, approximately 1 in 7 (15%) businesses in the UK reported they are using some sort of AI technology, up 5% YoY. This figure jumps to approximately 1 in 3 (30%) for businesses of over 250 employees, up 12% YoY. At the same time, 1 in 10 (10%) businesses said that they were planning to roll out AI tools within the next 3 months. That stat takes us to the end of 2024, so what does it mean for 2025.

‍

Firstly, as we enter 2025, I believe there is a fundamental gap between the number of employees who are using AI tools for their work, and the number of employers that state that their business uses AI tools.

‍

In fact, I would hazard a guess that many employees use AI tools without their employers even realising, with most recent surveys suggesting a third of employees use AI at work. This creates challenges on multiple fronts, firstly governance within the business, how can businesses truly manage and control AI within their business when they don’t know who is using it.

‍

However it also means that a lot of opportunities that AI can bring to businesses aren’t being fulfilled. How can you maximise the value and opportunities created by AI if you don’t even know your teams are using it? Or how they are using it?

‍

In my strong opinion, 2025 is the year that business and tech leaders from businesses of all sizes, have to prioritise the integration of AI led digital products and services into their business processes, for both their customers and their employees.

‍

Every industry and business has an opportunity from AI to become more efficient, more productive and more profitable. The need for this has been heightened post the October budget where there are more cost pressures through increases in National Insurance and the Living Wage. But, instead of these costs being passed onto the customer, is there a way to absorb the cost through more efficient AI enabled processes.

‍

The risk of not moving at pace is great too, losing ground to existing competitors, and the potential for new business models to appear from new entrants to the market, which are consistently seeing lower barriers to entry.

‍

Leaders need to quickly discover and prioritise the areas within the running of their business where there is the greatest opportunity for business value through AI led digital products and services, that enable them to not only join the AI revolution but lead it in their industry.

‍

At F+L it’s crystal clear that we’re well positioned to help. We’re at the forefront of the latest AI technology, not only using it in our own internal process to deliver faster for our partners, as well as the vast amount of experience from our in-house AI experts but integrating it into our partner's digital products and services that allow their business to run more efficiently and maximise returns.

‍

Let 2025 be the year that you take the lead on AI.

‍

Chris Sheldon

Head of Growth @ Founder + Lightning

‍