The UK stands to gain up to £400 billion in annual economic growth from AI, but half of that depends on whether we can get the workforce using it. Our new report from Google and Public First, AI Works, explores how targeted, practical training can dramatically boost adoption and unlock productivity benefits right across the economy.

Our research tested short, hands-on AI training with teachers, union members, and small business employees: groups often left behind in waves of tech change. The results were striking. Just a few hours of training doubled or tripled daily usage, boosted optimism about technology, and saved workers the equivalent of 122 hours per year. Critically, it closed demographic gaps, especially amongst older women.

If we want to realise the full £200 billion of potential from workforce adoption, we need to act now. This report sets out simple, scalable steps for policymakers and business leaders to follow, from embedding AI skills training in public services, to creating national incentives for short-course upskilling. The future of AI productivity isn’t theoretical: it’s already happening.

Key Findings

• AI usage at work is currently limited: only 34% of workers use generative AI, and just 44% of those use it daily.
• Short training sessions had major impact: daily AI use tripled among union members and doubled for teachers and SMBs.
• Among women over 55, daily usage jumped from 9% to 29% after training.
• Participants reported saving over 122 hours of work per year — a 22% improvement over modelled estimates.
• AI adoption led to increased confidence, experimentation, and optimism about the role of technology in society.

You can read the full report here