The UK’s 9.4 million STEM workers are losing an average of six hours per week due to limited access to advanced AI tools, costing the UK economy an estimated £64 billion annually, according to a new study by STEM experts SThree.
The report, “How the STEM World Works,” reveals that 30% of UK STEM workers cite productivity as the area most hindered by the lack of AI tools—a higher percentage than any other country surveyed. One in five STEM professionals loses a full workday weekly to tasks that could be accelerated by AI, and half report their company’s AI adoption as lagging behind competitors.
SThree surveyed over 2,500 STEM professionals across leading STEM economies, including the US, UK, Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands, to gain insights into how these specialists view their leadership’s approach to AI.
Tom Way, UK Managing Director of SThree, commented: “The need for AI adoption is urgent. We have a critical STEM skills gap, yet UK STEM professionals are clearly asking for AI-driven changes to enhance productivity. This hesitation in adopting AI poses a serious risk to the UK’s economic future.”
Leadership’s Digital Gap
The study also highlights a disconnect between STEM professionals’ positive stance on AI and their leaders’ hesitation. While over two-thirds believe AI could boost company growth, 45% say their leadership lacks a strong understanding of AI’s potential benefits, and 59% describe their leaders as “digitally illiterate.”
Additionally, 82% of STEM employees have suggested new tech solutions to their employers, but 71% of these proposals failed—largely due to leadership’s limited digital understanding.
Tom Way added, “STEM professionals, who understand AI’s benefits, need leaders who are willing to embrace technological advancements. Without access to advanced AI tools, businesses risk losing talent and diminishing productivity. Embracing AI is essential to staying competitive and fostering growth.”
