- New report shows eight in ten Scottish businesses report improved efficiency from AI adoption and two thirds report higher profitability.
- Through the Royal Bank Accelerator, the bank will deliver 5,000 AI learning and adoption engagements over the next year across the UK.
Businesses across Scotland are using artificial intelligence to deliver growth, according to new research from NatWest Group.
The findings, published in the ‘AI Adoption Report’, show Scottish and UK businesses AI adoption, with businesses particularly highlighting improvements in efficiency, innovation and commercial performance.
Across Scotland, 82% of businesses using AI report increased efficiency, while 80% report greater innovation. The research also found 60% of businesses report higher revenue and 66% higher profitability as a result of leveraging AI.
The findings reflect the strengths of Scotland’s economy, including world-leading capabilities in financial services, technology, energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs and scale-ups. AI has the potential to help businesses work more efficiently, develop new products and services faster, and strengthen competitiveness at home and internationally.
However, the research shows the biggest opportunity is still ahead. While AI adoption is becoming increasingly widespread, just 6% of current business users nationally have reached the stage where AI is transforming how their organisation operates, highlighting significant untapped potential for future growth.
The report also suggests that technology alone will not determine which businesses succeed. Trust is increasingly emerging as a competitive advantage, as customers highlight growing demand for transparency, accountability and human oversight in the AI era.
Research among NatWest Group retail customers found that 81% say the ability to reach a real person when needed is the most important trust factor, while 77% value reliability, strong human oversight and transparency around data use.
The findings suggest businesses that combine AI innovation with human judgement, clear communication and customer confidence will be best placed to realise the technology’s full potential.
Through its Accelerator programme, the Royal Bank is helping businesses across Scotland make the most of AI through practical training, expert support, access to finance and the power of its innovation network. This includes through its partnership with the University of Edinburgh’s AI Accelerator and its commitment to deliver 5,000 AI learning and adoption engagements to entrepreneurs across the UK over the next 12 months.
Robert Begbie, CEO, Commercial & Institutional Banking at NatWest Group, said, “AI has the potential to be a powerful driver of growth, but the businesses that succeed will be those that use it to deliver better customer outcomes while building trust through transparency and human accountability.
“There is a real risk of an AI adoption divide emerging, particularly for smaller businesses with less access to skills, investment and specialist expertise. As both a major adopter of AI and the UK’s leading business bank, we have a role to play in helping more businesses turn AI’s potential into growth.”
Case study – Using AI to give Royal Bank customers better spending insights
An industry-first, fully generative audio-visual AI Spending Insights tool that is about to be tested with Royal Bank of Scotland customers before being rolled out more widely across the Group.
Available through the mobile app and powered by the bank’s own small language models, the conversational tool allows customers to talk naturally about their finances using voice and text.
Customers can ask questions about their spending, explore trends, compare activity over time and receive personalised insights. They can also interrupt, ask follow up questions and provide information into something easier to understand and act on. additional context about their circumstances, helping the tool deliver more relevant and personalised responses.
The experience combines tailored insights with interactive charts and visualisations, transforming complex financial.
By enabling customers to explore their finances through natural conversation, the tool aims to help them make more informed decisions with greater confidence.