- More US SMEs have dedicated AI teams than their British counterparts
- Strengthening AI skills is key to addressing the current talent gap
- In-person interaction with customers is as vital as AI
New data from Amex Global Business Travel (GBT) has revealed an international divide in the adoption of AI tools among SMEs, positioning US companies ahead of their UK counterparts in the race to the top.
According to the data, 36% of US SMEs have appointed AI teams, compared to just 25% of UK SMEs. US businesses (40%) are also more likely to want AI advice to advance further, while UK businesses (less than 30%) lag behind.
However, one thing both nations agree on is the role of AI in business success: 78% see it as critical over the next 12 months.
American SMEs are ahead in the AI race
Although operational efficiency is an important goal for both countries, US companies (93%) are slightly ahead of British companies (89%), and this is also reflected in the fact that one in five (21%) British SMEs are concerned that their competitors are innovating faster.
However, it is not surprising that the same obstacle is preventing both countries from progressing at a faster pace: one in four (26%) noted the need to strengthen AI skills to address the talent shortage.
“Companies leading this shift are those building and deploying AI operations to solve the talent gap, while doubling down on the impactful human connections and relationships that drive new business,” wrote Becky Power, vice president of SME client management.
And on the people front, Amex found that 83% of SMEs want to increase in-person interaction with customers this year, traveling to conferences, trade shows and exhibitions.
Where does Amex GBT come into this? Only a third (35%) currently manage travel through a centralized system, which is bad from a cost control, risk management and policy control perspective.
Looking ahead, despite the importance of AI, it is clear that digital transformation is not enough to ensure maximum competitiveness in today’s economy, and human connections are equally vital to allay concerns that AI is bad news for workers.
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