Summary
This report presents the findings of a survey conducted by Qonto in collaboration with YouGov, focusing on the state of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, particularly in the UK. The survey, which involved over 5,000 senior decision makers across five countries, reveals that while European SMEs show resilience amidst economic challenges, British SMEs are lagging in AI adoption. The report indicates that only 58% of UK SMEs are currently using AI tools, significantly lower than the European average of 67%. Additionally, the report highlights trends in carbon reduction initiatives, with only 9% of UK SMEs prioritizing this issue despite a commitment to sustainability. The findings also address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, noting that British SMEs have the highest rate of companies without formal DEI initiatives. Furthermore, the shift towards digital banking solutions is noted, with online banking surpassing traditional banks in adoption rates among SMEs. Overall, the report outlines key challenges and opportunities for British SMEs in the evolving business landscape.
