London, March 18, 2026 — UK mid-sized businesses could generate up to £105 billion in additional revenue by 2030 as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates, according to research commissioned by HSBC UK.
The study, conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), points to a widening gap between companies experimenting with AI and those embedding it into core operations.
Adoption among mid-sized firms has risen from 35% two years ago to 55% by the end of 2025, driven by increased use of automation, advanced analytics, and large language models.
Firms integrating AI more deeply into their operations are already seeing measurable gains. Around a quarter of businesses fall into this category, with projected additional revenue of £4.5 million within four years.
Mid-sized companies, often seen as a key engine of the UK economy, already generate 23% more value per employee than the national average. Wider AI adoption is expected to strengthen that advantage, particularly in areas such as supply chains, forecasting, and customer engagement.
HSBC UK has launched a £5 billion financing initiative aimed at supporting businesses investing in AI and productivity-enhancing technologies.
James Cundy, Managing Director and Head of Corporate and Leveraged Finance at HSBC UK, said companies moving beyond early experimentation are seeing clear benefits.
The research estimates that sustained adoption could contribute £31 billion in additional economic output by 2030, with further gains likely as AI becomes more embedded across the mid-market
Source: HSBC UK