# 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.

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- Publisher: Newsverum
- Section: Economy
- Country: United Kingdom
- Published: 2026-10-10T14:10:20+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-10T14:10:20+00:00
- Event / data period: 2026-10-04
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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.

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.

| Indicator | Share of businesses |
|---|---|
| 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 |

Sources: <https://www.gov.scot/publications/bics-weighted-scotland-estimates-data-to-wave-165/>, <https://www.gov.scot/publications/bics-weighted-scotland-estimates-data-to-wave-165/pages/artificial-intelligence/> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/scotland-business-ai-adoption-and-energy-cost-concerns-wave-165/data/scotland-business-ai-and-energy-concerns-wave-165?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/scotland-business-ai-adoption-and-energy-cost-concerns-wave-165/data/scotland-business-ai-and-energy-concerns-wave-165?lang=en&format=csv)

## Sources

- [Scottish Government](<https://www.gov.scot/publications/bics-weighted-scotland-estimates-data-to-wave-165/>) (Source checked: 2026-10-10; Published: 2026-10-09)
- [Scottish Government](<https://www.gov.scot/publications/bics-weighted-scotland-estimates-data-to-wave-165/pages/artificial-intelligence/>) (Source checked: 2026-10-10; Published: 2026-10-09)

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