- New flagship report shows 77% of Northern Ireland businesses report improved efficiency and 71% report improved profitability from using AI
- Trust and human expertise remain critical to building confidence in AI-enabled services, according to NatWest research.
- Ulster Bank is expanding support to help businesses turn AI potential into growth
Northern Ireland businesses are already seeing significant benefits from artificial intelligence, according to new research from Ulster Bank, with more than three-quarters of firms using AI reporting improved efficiency.
The bank’s new AI Adoption Report found that among Northern Ireland businesses already using AI, 77% report improved efficiency and 71% report improved profitability. The findings highlight the growing role AI is playing in helping businesses improve productivity, strengthen competitiveness and support long-term growth.
Across the UK, 44% of businesses already use AI and a further 41% expect to adopt it within five years. However, only 6% of current users have reached the most advanced stage of adoption, where AI is fundamentally transforming how the business operates. The research also highlights a growing gap between larger and smaller firms, with businesses employing more than 100 people almost twice as likely to be using AI as smaller businesses.
The report also suggests trust will play a critical role in determining how quickly AI adoption accelerates. Across the UK, customers remain positive about the potential of AI, but want reassurance around how it is used. Almost eight in ten (79%) say access to a real person remains important, while 76% want transparency about when AI is being used and 75% want a better understanding of how their data is handled.
Robert Begbie, CEO, Commercial & Institutional Banking at NatWest, said:
"AI has the potential to be a powerful driver of growth, but the businesses that succeed will be those that use it to deliver better customer outcomes while building trust through transparency and human accountability.
"There is a real risk of an AI adoption divide emerging, particularly for smaller businesses with less access to skills, investment and specialist expertise. As both a major adopter of AI and the UK's leading business bank, we have a role to play in helping more businesses turn AI's potential into growth."
Terry Rob, Chair of the Ulster Bank Northern Ireland Board, said:
"Northern Ireland has a strong track record of innovation and entrepreneurship, and our research shows businesses already embracing AI are seeing tangible benefits in efficiency and profitability.
"The opportunity now is to help more firms move from experimentation to implementation. By building skills, confidence and access to practical support, we can help ensure businesses across Northern Ireland are well placed to benefit from the opportunities AI presents."
Northern Ireland businesses will be able to access a wider package of AI support being delivered across NatWest Group, including enhanced AI training for relationship managers, 5,000 AI learning and adoption engagements through the Accelerator programme over the next 12 months, specialist support delivered with Google Cloud, and a new AI Adoption Programme in partnership with Lancaster University.
Supporting businesses to adopt AI
The report highlights that many businesses are still in the early stages of AI adoption and that smaller firms are most at risk of missing out on the productivity and growth benefits associated with deeper adoption. Key barriers include skills gaps, limited investment capacity and uncertainty around how best to deploy AI within organisations.
Through its Accelerator programme and wider business support network, Ulster Bank is helping businesses access practical guidance, expert support, peer networks and opportunities to build AI capability and accelerate growth.
Looking ahead
Ulster Bank will use the findings from the report to support ongoing engagement with businesses, entrepreneurs and industry partners across Northern Ireland, helping organisations better understand how AI can improve productivity, strengthen competitiveness and drive long-term economic growth.
The report highlights the importance of combining innovation with trust, skills and investment to ensure businesses of all sizes can benefit from the opportunities presented by AI.
About the NatWest AI Adoption Report
The NatWest AI Adoption Report provides a picture of AI adoption across the UK, drawing on NatWest's experience as a major adopter of AI alongside proprietary research among consumers and businesses. The report explores three themes shaping the next phase of adoption: customer relationships, growth and trust and sets out how the future success of AI will not be determined by access to technology alone, but by how effectively organisations redesign how work gets done in service of the customer.
