Small businesses in Reading, Berkshire, are struggling to turn the use of artificial intelligence into real improvements in their daily work, according to a recent report. On 2 March 2026, the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce shared findings showing that while many local firms are trying out new technology, very few are seeing actual cost savings or faster results.
Research from the British Chambers of Commerce shows that the number of small companies using this technology has grown from 25 per cent in 2024 to 35 per cent at the start of 2026. However, only 11 per cent of these businesses are actually using these tools to handle their daily operations or make their services better.
Many local firms are currently only using the technology for simple jobs like writing short articles, which does not provide the financial returns needed to grow. Business leaders say that problems such as unorganised information and different computer systems that do not talk to each other are stopping companies from getting the most out of their investment.
The report also found a large gap between different types of businesses in the region. Nearly half of companies that provide services to other businesses are using the new tools, compared to just over a quarter of firms in the manufacturing and retail sectors.
Peter Pendlebury from the Air IT Group says that businesses need to have a strong base and clear data to make the technology work properly. These findings are now being used to update local training plans to help workers in Reading learn the skills they need to use these tools effectively.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
