AI offers huge potential for UK manufacturers
Aaron Blutstein 16 June 2026 
By Stephen Phipson CBE, Make UK CEO: Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping global manufacturing, redefining what productivity, efficiency and competitiveness look like for the next decade. For UK manufacturers AI offers huge potential.
The majority of manufacturers believe AI represents a net gain for the UK economy. 78% of respondents think rapid and widespread AI adoption will increase Britain’s global competitiveness, while only 22% believe it will burden industry with more costs. This optimism stands out. It suggests that industry leaders see AI not simply as a tool, but as a strategic necessity, which is critical for competing with global manufacturing businesses wo are already investing aggressively in automation, advanced analytics and digital factories. Importantly, this confidence persists even though many businesses are still early in their AI journey. Manufacturers appear to accept that initial investment may be high, but the longer‑term gains (productivity, efficiency, quality and innovation) are too significant ignore.
Manufacturers were equally clear about the benefits they expect from AI. The dominant advantage, selected by 65%, is increased productivity ‑ an area where the UK lags its international competitors and where AI could unlock major gains.
The UK Government has recognised this potential and is devoting significant resources too attracting international technology companies with the promise of huge data centres.
The common perception of the use of AI is in functions such as marketing, research and through technology such as machine learning. However there is increasing take up of AI in health & safety where the promise of significant productivity gains are achievable and tools to manage health and safety across an organisation, all in one integrated platform.
The need to manage health, safety and wellbeing across organisations is becoming increasingly important, not just in an age where the cost of not doing do is more prohibitive but, when there is clear evidence that managing health, safety and wellbeing effectively and across an organisation from top to bottom is just as important to boosting productivity as any other business investment.
There are six key areas where AI can aid health, safety and wellbeing: risk assessments, incident reporting, fire and electrical safety, construction, training and competency and PPE detection. AI tools, offer a range of options across these areas including real time information, audit trails, automated reminders and professional reporting, all of which can be managed across multiple sites using a single account using a phone or tablet. AI can also integrate regular legislation updates and fast guidance on what is required with either template or customisable forms.
However, as with many other aspects of business change, the introduction of radical change into any business process will require careful management and involve buy in from the whole workforce. For example, using AI to involve PPE detection and camera based monitoring will need to be done in a way that doesn’t make employees fearful that ‘big brother’ is watching you and is being done to keep them safe rather than watch over them.
The way to avoid this, like any other business process is to ensure there is buy in across the business from top to bottom and, all processes are managed and monitored effectively. The benefits from AI in managing health, safety and wellbeing both as a contributor to boosting productivity, business performance and maintaining a safe and healthy workforce are becoming clear.
