It may be a new year, but for UK businesses, it’s the same story, with fresh data from Lloyds Bank showing that British firms are once again pinning their hopes on AI to unlock major growth opportunities.

Lloyds’ latest Business Barometer found that a third (33%) of UK companies are planning to ramp up their investments into AI tools over 2026, with 42% of bosses reporting that their top focus will be squeezing out further productivity improvements using the tech.

But lessons have been learned since last year’s rush to AI adoption, with the survey of 1,200 firms revealing that UK firms plan to anchor their 2026 AI strategies with team training and development (35%), a ‘strategic move’, according to Lloyds, which will allow businesses to find an edge in an increasingly fast-paced market. 

Among businesses’ top priorities for 2026 are upskilling teams (39%), enhancing employee tech capabilities (37%), and expanding global reach (25%), though most admit they will need additional support in areas of emerging technology (35%) and productivity (35%) to achieve their 2026 goals.

“These are investment priorities that will support businesses’ long-term growth, helping them capitalise on new opportunities that arise in the year ahead, but also build a firm foundation well beyond 2026,” said Paul Kempster, managing director for commercial banking coverage at Lloyds Business & Commercial Banking.

Data from the Bank of Scotland’s latest Business Barometer, meanwhile, shows that Scottish firms are particularly keen on boosting their fortunes through technology, with 44% looking to enhance their use of emerging tech like AI and nearly half (46%) focusing on upskilling colleagues.  

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As with their UK peers, Scottish businesses are also looking for extra support in areas like building employee capability (42%), technology upgrades (30%) and environmental sustainability (27%).

Despite enthusiasm for AI and skill-building north of the border, the data shows that Scotland ended the year with a steep, 15% fall in business confidence, a figure beaten only by Northern Ireland’s 20% decrease since November, and at odds with the story across the UK generally, with confidence rising among most nations and regions.

“Scottish businesses are putting people at the centre of their investment plans – something that will benefit the national economy, as well as their own growth aspirations,” said Martyn Kendrick, Scotland Director at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.