Scottish survey estimates AI use at 36.9% of businesses
The Scottish Government estimated that 36.9% of businesses with a presence in Scotland, at least 10 employees and not permanently stopped trading were using AI during the 21 September–4 October survey period. The share was 75.5% in information and communication.
Event / data period: 2026-10-04
Published: · Updated:
AI use also varied by business size: an estimated 51.6% of businesses with 250 or more employees used AI, compared with 35.3% of those with 10 to 249 employees.
Energy prices were a separate concern: an estimated 78.5% of businesses were very or somewhat concerned, rising to 88.4% in transport and storage.
Data
Scottish businesses: AI and energy
Weighted estimates in BICS wave 165 for businesses with a presence in Scotland, at least 10 employees and not permanently stopped trading.
| Businesses using any AI technology | 36.9 |
| Information and communication businesses using AI | 75.5 |
| Large businesses (250+ employees) using AI | 51.6 |
| Small and medium businesses (10–249 employees) using AI | 35.3 |
| Businesses concerned about energy prices | 78.5 |
| Transport and storage businesses concerned about energy prices | 88.4 |
Methodology
Percentages are weighted BICS estimates published by the Scottish Government for businesses with a presence in Scotland, at least 10 employees and not permanently stopped trading; the survey period was 21 September–4 October 2026. AI use and energy-price concern are separate questions; the figures describe shares of businesses, not employees.
Updated:
Subjects and places
Subject proposals
- EconomySuggested
- Preserved editorial category/topic; broad candidate onlywww.gov.scot ↗www.gov.scot ↗
- Artificial intelligenceSuggested
- Subject suggested from the title or summary: AIwww.gov.scot ↗www.gov.scot ↗
Geographic references
Only source-provided geographic references are shown. Opening an external map is optional. Optional story maps use OpenStreetMap. Opening a map sends your IP address and this site’s address to the map provider; location data remains readable as text without loading the map.
- United Kingdom · Place role: Coverage · Place type: Country or area · Location precision: RegionalEvidence
- Explicit preserved editorial country/region; no city or national centroid inferredwww.gov.scot ↗www.gov.scot ↗