The UK manufacturing sector is falling behind when it comes to robotics and artificial intelligence, but catching up could deliver an economic windfall of around £150 billion over the next decade, according to new analysis reported in The Times.
At present, industrial robotics adoption in the UK lags significantly behind its European counterparts. There are just 112 industrial robots for every 10,000 workers—only half the EU average—placing the nation 24th on the global robotics density index. Compounding the issue, the UK’s overall innovation ranking has slipped in recent years, having fallen from second to fifth place on a major global innovation index over the past decade.
Efforts are underway to reverse this trend. A newly unveiled industrial strategy includes advanced manufacturing among eight priority sectors and outlines plans to nurture a digitally agile workforce likely to become the next generation of tech adopters. A key pillar of this strategy is a government-backed partnership with major US tech firms, aiming to train 7.5 million workers in AI skills by 2030, alongside the development of AI adoption hubs nationwide.
Yet the path forward is not smooth for smaller manufacturers. Pervasive complexity in existing funding structures, fragmented support programmes, and a shortage of accessible digital-skills training continue to pose barriers to widespread technological adoption. These issues highlight the need for a more streamlined, one-stop support mechanism tailored specifically to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Other countries, such as South Korea and Switzerland, are forging ahead with national strategies that prioritise SMEs. These models incorporate simplified innovation funding, long-term tax incentives, and practical support pathways that empower smaller firms to adopt robotics and AI effectively.
The disparity in adoption between large and small firms is stark. Larger UK businesses have been relatively swift in embracing AI at scale, outperforming many European peers. A recent survey of sizeable companies reported that nearly half had successfully implemented one or more strategic AI initiatives, and the returns on those investments generally met or exceeded expectations.
For agritech, the implications are particularly striking. Automation, robotics, and AI have the potential to revolutionise everything from crop monitoring and harvesting to supply chain optimisation. Smarter robotics could address chronic labour shortages in agriculture, while AI-driven analytics could help producers cut waste, enhance yields, and reduce environmental impact. However, without stronger support for SMEs—the backbone of the UK’s farming and fresh produce industries—these benefits risk being unevenly distributed.
Bringing robots and AI into wider use could generate a transformative £150 billion for the nation’s economy—but only if SMEs are given the tools, guidance, and training to join the revolution, and if the government provides targeted, easily accessible support.
Against the backdrop of an industrial strategy that rightly emphasises cutting-edge industry sectors and digital skills, accelerating the pace of adoption, particularly for smaller players, is essential.
In sum, the UK stands at a pivotal moment. With streamlined support, investment in digital training, and a clear, inclusive strategy, robotics and AI could become the engines of renewed economic growth, not just for big business but for Britain’s countless innovative SMEs—and nowhere is this more important than in agritech, where the rewards of technological adoption will directly shape the nation’s food security and sustainability.
