The UK economy could have more to gain from generative artificial intelligence (AI) than any other advanced nation, new research has found.
The opportunity to boost productivity is greatest in the public sector, where a doctor could save up to five working hours a week, according to estimates by consultancy giant Accenture.
The research found that action would need to be taken now for generative AI, which is a more advanced form of automation, to have the greatest effect.
The technology could almost double the UK’s economic growth over the next 15 years, and see a bigger impact than any other country in the group of seven advanced economies (G7), including the US.
Average annual gross domestic product (GDP) for 2023 to 2038 could rise from 1.6% to 3%, according to Accenture’s forecasting.
Accenture said it analysed tens of thousands of detailed tasks and estimated the total time that could be saved from automation, or augmentation which supports human tasks with technology.
For the GDP modelling, it said it analysed the impact if people reallocated time freed up towards tasks that are less prone to using AI.
Shaheen Sayed, head of Accenture in the UK, Ireland and Africa, said: “There is an enormous opportunity to address longstanding productivity stagnation in the UK through an ambitious roll-out of generative AI, but organisations already risk falling behind with a short-term view of the power of this technology.”
Generative AI is a more advanced form of automation whereby machines can create something completely new based on a vast set of data.
The research stressed that the technology is most valuable if it is “people-centric”, meaning it automates routine tasks and preserves workers’ time for jobs that require a “human touch”, therefore freeing up time for innovation.
Modelling suggested that the average worker could save 18% of their working hours spent on routine activities, with a doctor saving five hours a week and a commercial sales representative shaving 12 hours off their working week.
It also estimated that nearly half of working hours in the UK public sector, excluding healthcare, could be enhanced by generative AI.
“Technology alone won’t transform the economy and drive growth, it’ll come from the hands of the people that you put it in,” Ms Sayed said.
The findings come after the Government earlier this week announced that four US firms plan to invest £6.3 billion in data centre infrastructure in the UK.
The investment is expected to support growing global demand for computing capabilities to power AI, and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle called it a “vote of confidence” in the country.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here