Key facts
- 63% of UK working adults use GenAI for work.
- 17% of GenAI users pay for at least one GenAI tool themselves for work.
- 31% of GenAI users use GenAI without their employer's knowledge.
- 24% of UK workers use GenAI tools every day for work.
- UK workers save an average of 70 minutes a week using GenAI tools.
- 43% of GenAI users use the technology for searching information and drafting emails.
British workers are spending close to £1 billion annually out of their own pockets on generative AI (GenAI) tools for work, according to a new survey by Deloitte UK. The study, which polled 25,000 workers between May 7 and June 10, 2026, found that two-thirds of UK working adults knowingly use GenAI for their jobs. Of those using these tools, 17% pay for at least one themselves, contributing to an estimated annual personal spend of £958 million.
The survey also revealed a significant trend of 'shadow AI' usage, with nearly a third (31%) of GenAI users admitting they use the technology without their employer's knowledge. Furthermore, 24% of UK workers now use GenAI tools daily for work, indicating rapid adoption that often outpaces organizational guidance. Many users (65%) report a lack of clear leadership on how GenAI should be used within their companies.
Hayley McKelvey, chief AI officer at Deloitte UK, commented that workers are eager to use GenAI and often take the initiative to use free tools or pay for premium versions themselves. She highlighted the challenge for businesses to meet this demand securely and responsibly. Workers report saving an average of 70 minutes per week using GenAI, primarily for tasks like searching for information, drafting emails, and creating summaries. However, a quarter of users feel there is a stigma attached to using GenAI in the workplace, and many worry about managers perceiving AI as a replacement for their roles.