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AI adoption in UK social enterprises: key insights and next steps
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept. It is already being used by many social enterprises in the UK to save time, improve services, and stay resilient. But how prepared is the sector for AI? And what kind of help is needed to ensure that adoption supports, rather than threatens, mission-led work?
Over the past few months, we surveyed 92 UK social enterprises. Some were already using AI, others were beginning to explore the possibilities, and a few were not planning to adopt it at all. Our goal was to understand these different positions and help shape better support across the sector.
A snapshot of AI adoption
60% of respondents said they already use AI. The tools in use include content generation software, automation systems, and chatbots. The main goals behind adoption were to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Another 16% were preparing to adopt AI soon, while 24% said they had no current plans to use it.
Most AI adopters were micro or small enterprises, often working in education, healthcare, or business support. These organisations used AI for day-to-day operations that required speed, consistency, and scale.
The organisations preparing to adopt AI expressed strong interest in improving customer service and automating administrative tasks. However, they also raised concerns about unclear return on investment, ethical considerations, and a lack of implementation guidance. These barriers were not about values. They were about capacity and clarity.
Non-adopters reported few challenges directly related to AI. But this may reflect limited exposure rather than lower risk. Some said they were watching how others manage adoption before making their own decisions.
What challenges are emerging?
As organisations gain more experience with AI, they become more aware of practical and ethical barriers.
Among current users, 83% raised concerns about data privacy. Nearly 75% reported challenges integrating AI into existing systems. A large number also identified skills gaps within their teams. These are not hypothetical problems. They affect how effectively organisations can use new technology over time.
Future adopters, by contrast, were more likely to question whether the effort and cost of AI would deliver meaningful value. Their interest is real, but their concerns are about making the right choice, and not rushing into something unproven.
Non-adopters reported the fewest concerns. However, this should not be taken as a sign of readiness or resilience. It may simply reflect a lack of exposure to the realities of AI use. Many are still deciding whether this is something they need to prioritise.
Support must match need
Our findings revealed a strong link between where organisations are on their AI journey and what kind of support they require.
Nearly 80% of current users asked for more training. They are looking for help with strategy, technical skills, and data handling. Those planning to adopt AI wanted early-stage guidance, including case studies, onboarding materials, and ethical frameworks.
Non-adopters were least likely to request support. But this may be due to uncertainty rather than opposition.
The conclusion is clear. One-size-fits-all support will not work. A staged, modular approach is needed. Organisations at different stages need different forms of help.
What we plan to do next
We are using these pilot findings to inform a national research programme. The next stage will include case studies and interviews with social enterprises across the UK. We want to explore how organisations think about AI, how values shape their choices, and what helps build confidence.
We will then co-create resources with sector partners. These may include onboarding guides, training tools, or decision-making frameworks. We will test them through online experiments to find out what is effective, useful, and scalable.
This is not about promoting AI. It is about ensuring that if social enterprises want to use it, they have access to trustworthy and well-designed support.
Get involved
If you are working in a social enterprise and thinking about AI, whether you are already using it or just starting to consider it, we would love to hear from you.
We are currently looking for interviewees, workshop participants, and collaborators. Your insights will help shape a practical and inclusive approach to AI for the entire sector.
Please get in touch if you would like to be involved: gordon.liu@open.ac.uk
This piece was co-authored by Alessio Antonini (Open University), Ali Ataullah (Open University), Francesca Calò (Open University), Joyce Ko (Brunel University), Gordon Liu (Open University), Micaela Mazzei (Glasgow Caledonian University), Fidele Mutwarasibo (Open University), Artur Steiner (Glasgow Caledonian University), and Simon Teasdale (Queen’s University Belfast)
This article is part of SEUK’s Social Enterprise Knowledge Centre University Network – to find out more please contact research@socialenterprise.org.uk
