Almost two-thirds of businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber already using AI say the technology has created jobs, according to new research from Lloyds.
The findings offer a counterpoint to fears over the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, with 65% of AI-using businesses in the region reporting that the technology has led to job creation.
According to the Lloyds Business Barometer research, AI adoption has already reached more than half of Yorkshire and the Humber businesses, with 52% saying they currently use the technology.
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Investment is also set to increase. Some 55% of all businesses in the region plan to increase spending on AI to upskill their workforce over the coming year.
Of those planning to increase investment, 38% expect to spend between £25,000 and £100,000, while 16% expect to invest between £100,000 and £250,000.
The findings suggest businesses are relatively confident about the skills already available within their organisations. Some 61% said their workforce has the AI skills it needs, compared with 19% which said it does not.
There is also a growing sense among businesses that adopting the technology will become necessary to remain competitive.
More than half, 54%, of Yorkshire and the Humber firms said businesses which fail to adopt AI over the next three years will find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds, said: “AI is already having a tangible impact on businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber, with almost two-thirds of firms who are using the technology saying it has helped them create new jobs. It’s encouraging too that more than half of businesses plan to increase investment in AI skills over the coming year, showing a clear appetite to build on that momentum.
“As AI becomes an increasingly important part of staying competitive, making sure businesses have the right skills and support will be key. Cost, access to talent and understanding the technology remain barriers for some firms, and tackling these will help more businesses across the region turn AI investment into greater productivity, new opportunities and sustainable growth.”
The Yorkshire findings are ahead of the national picture when it comes to reported job creation.
Across the UK, 54% of businesses said AI had created new jobs, compared with the 65% figure among Yorkshire and the Humber businesses already using the technology. Nationally, 58% of firms plan to invest in AI skills.
Amanda Murphy, chief executive at Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, added: “AI has the potential to be as transformative for businesses as the internet was a generation ago. The businesses seeing the greatest benefit are treating it not simply as a technology investment, but as a catalyst for broader transformation across their organisation.
“Success will depend on more than access to technology. It will come from building the skills, culture and confidence to use it effectively. The businesses that can combine human ingenuity with the power of AI will create a meaningful advantage in productivity, innovation and growth.
“As adoption accelerates, the greatest challenge for many organisations may not be keeping pace with technology, but ensuring they have the capabilities to adapt alongside it. Supporting businesses to navigate that transition will be critical if the UK is to fully capture the economic opportunity AI presents.”
