Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 153): 2 April 2026

Artificial Intelligence

In the period 16 March to 29 March 2026 (Wave 153), businesses were asked if they use any of the following Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies:

• Autonomous vehicles
• Data processing using machine learning
• Image processing using machine learning
• Robotics
• Text generation using Large Language Models
• Visual content creation
• Other
• Not sure
• or if the business does not currently use artificial intelligence technologies.

Figure 3: In March 2026, 30.2% of businesses were using some form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, with the Information & Communication sector having the highest share (63.9%).

Estimated share of businesses currently using some form of Artificial Intelligence technology. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 153 (16 March to 29 March 2026).

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 153 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 3 data see table ‘CurrentAIUsed’.

Large businesses (250 or more employees) were more likely to be using some form of AI technology than small to medium-sized businesses (10 to 249 employees). An estimated 43.9% of large businesses were using some form of AI, compared to 28.6% of small to medium-sized businesses.

In March 2026, the BICS asked businesses that reported using some form of AI technology, or that were not sure, what impact AI technologies had on workforce headcount. For these businesses, 6.2% reported that their overall workforce headcount had reduced as a result of using those technologies. Data on the impact of AI on workforce headcount can be found in the ‘AIWorkforceImpact’ table in the Business insights and conditions in Scotland - data to Wave 153 - tables - time series Excel workbook.