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At the recent “AI for Growth” event hosted by Goldman Sachs in Birmingham, nearly 300 high-growth small business owners gathered to discuss and share use of artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting its growing role in UK small business operations.
New data indicates that 98% of participants in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme are already using AI. Over half report improvements in operational efficiency, while 72% have seen increases in employee productivity.
The findings come from a March 2026 survey of over 400 programme graduates. Within this group, 19% report improved financial performance and a similar proportion report higher customer satisfaction and retention. Around 21% say they are yet to see measurable impact, often those at earlier stages of adoption.
AI is also increasingly embedded in business strategy. For 56% of respondents, AI is described as either essential or a significant part of future growth plans, while 4% say it does not form part of their strategy.
Recruitment approaches are also evolving. AI literacy is now a key hiring criterion for 24% of leaders surveyed. In addition, 85% of respondents said they would be open to hiring autonomous AI systems if available.
The results contrast with broader UK data, which suggests 35% of small businesses currently use AI. Within the 10KSB cohort, 89% report paying for AI tools compared with 33% in the wider market.
Beyond tool adoption, 38% of respondents have developed custom AI solutions for their businesses. AI is being integrated into core systems such as CRM, accounting, and HR platforms, with marketing remaining the most common use case. Around 19% of businesses report using agentic AI systems capable of autonomous decision-making.
These findings are based on a survey of 407 participants in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme, providing a snapshot of AI adoption and usage trends among UK high-growth SMEs.
