NetApp guest blog: It’s time to plan for AI in UK businesses in 2024
From everyday generative writing tools and customer engagement, to sophisticated new healthcare research, we know that AI is finding a home in our personal and working lives. But how are UK businesses grappling with the opportunities this presents?
Fresh insights landed this week, with new YouGov research commissioned by NetApp showing that the planning and foundations for AI are at a critical moment for UK businesses. Drawing on input from 1,000+ IT decision makers, the survey shows that we’re at a crucial point where enthusiasm and excitement are meeting a deep need for better planning.
It’s clear that AI is landing with real momentum in UK businesses of all shapes and sizes. Over a third (34%) have adopted some form of AI tool or service - and 59% expect their spending to increase on AI projects in 2024 compared to last year. A further quarter are actively exploring the technology or plan to adopt AI for the first time this year.
In the face of this momentum, there’s concern around lack of preparedness, knowledge and strategy.
Whilst planning to invest significantly, only half (51%) of those surveyed said they understand how AI can benefit their operations, and just 20% said they have a strong understanding of how they can harness AI technology.
Build a plan, and lay the right AI foundations
With pressure to deploy, pilot and open budgets to spend on AI, the risks of unplanned initial decision-making are growing. What does this mean? Firstly, you need a plan, not just shiny new tools. That means there needs to be a strategic, long-range view on AI in your organisation, clear prioritised use cases, and a shared view of what ‘good’ looks like for AI in your business, building from an initial focus on targeted instances of ‘everyday AI’.
The second takeaway here is that businesses really need to start by laying the right foundations for AI. AI models are literally only as good as the data they draw on. High quality, consistent data - at massive scale, and available in real time, with appropriate security and other management controls is a must.
AI is nothing without a robust data strategy, and this should be a top priority for any business wanting to harness AI. That strategy needs to deliver data that is secure, accessible, and resilient - and easy to manage. And for an AI model to successfully train with meaning, that data also needs to be ‘clean,’ so it’s complete, consistent, uncorrupted, free of duplication and ambiguity.
You can think about this as being like the process of building a house. You plan it first, architecting the layout, considering important practicalities like light and access, then consider how you’re going to use rooms and how they work together. You build that out in plans that contractors draw from.
In other words - before you do anything else you make sure it is safe, secure and sound.
Sue Daley, techUK’s Director for Tech and Innovation sums it up, “There’s a pressing need for a strategic approach to AI adoption and readiness to ensure long-term effectiveness and competitiveness, and ensure that organisations are well-prepared to maximise the benefits of AI adoption. Those that fail to do so may miss out.”
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Contact the team
Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi is the Head of AI and Data at techUK.
She holds over seven years of Government Affairs and Tech Policy experience in the US and UK. Kir previously headed up the regulatory portfolio at a UK advocacy group for tech startups and held various public affairs in US tech policy. All involved policy research and campaigns on competition, artificial intelligence, access to data, and pro-innovation regulation.
Kir has an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BA in both Political Science (International Relations) and Economics from the University of California San Diego.
Outside of techUK, you are likely to find her attempting studies at art galleries, attempting an elusive headstand at yoga, mending and binding books, or chasing her dog Maya around South London's many parks.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue
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