Bank of England estimates AI added 0.5% to UK productivity over three years

Nov 6, 2026
The Bank of England estimates AI increased UK productivity by 0.5% over the past three years, while its effect on employment remained minimal.

Bank of England estimates AI increased UK productivity by 0.5% over the past three years, according to The Register. That represents an additional 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points of annual productivity growth since early 2024.

AI related activity accounted for just under one fifth of UK GDP growth since the start of 2026. The bank said much of this contribution came from developing and implementing AI rather than productivity gains from wider business adoption.

Companies surveyed by the bank reported almost no overall effect on employment, although some were less likely to hire workers or replace those who left. Businesses expect AI to add about 0.9 percentage points to annual productivity growth over the next three years.

We hope you enjoyed this article

Consider subscribing to one of our newsletters like AI Funding Brief or Daily AI Brief.

Also, consider following us on social media:

AI Brief AI Brief (X)
Free newsletter

AI Funding Brief

Guide
Hosted Speech Recognition APIs

Hosted Speech Recognition APIs

Market report

2025 Generative AI in Professional Services Report

Thomson Reuters

This report by Thomson Reuters explores the integration and impact of generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, within the professional services sector. It highlights the growing adoption of GenAI tools across industries like legal, tax, accounting, and government, and discusses the challenges and opportunities these technologies present. The report also examines professionals' perceptions of GenAI and the need for strategic integration to maximize its value.

Read more

You may also like

Free, six days a week

Daily AI Brief: the AI news that matters, in your inbox.