General Atomics

APM survey finds AI driving UK manufacturers’ productivity

UK manufacturers using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are seeing tangible benefits, including a positive impact on productivity and increases in profitability, according to new research.



Image courtesy APM
 
The findings are from the latest survey of 500 UK business leaders, conducted by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, in partnership with Censuswide. 
 
The research found that almost half (42%) of manufacturing business leaders report a positive impact on productivity across their organisation, or parts of it, with only 18% reporting a negative effect. Meanwhile, just one in 10 are still unclear on the potential impact. 
 
The positive effect is also being felt on the balance sheet, with just over half of manufacturers surveyed reporting AI is having a positive impact on their bottom line. 
 
Of the manufacturers who reported a positive boost in productivity, the areas of the businesses experiencing the most benefits from AI were IT, customer service and operations. 
 
Professor Adam Boddison OBE (above), Chief Executive of APM, commented: "More and more manufacturers are reaping the benefits of AI use and it is crucial that project professionals in the sector continue to embrace it. 
 
"When used correctly, AI is helping manufacturers become more profitable. That often requires project professionals to correctly implement its use throughout a project’s life, ensuring it is used correctly and efficiently. 
 
“The project profession has a clear role to play in helping more UK manufacturers use AI in the right way. It is vital that we continue to share best practice around AI use and are able to use it effectively as the technology rapidly evolves.” 
 
APM offers a wide range of professional development resources, qualifications and networking opportunities, including an AI and Data Analytics Interest Network, to support both individuals and organisations in enhancing project delivery capability.

Related

FAC eyes larger Farnborough presence after record airshow demand
Farnborough International AIrshow 2026
FAC eyes larger Farnborough presence after record airshow demand
Farnborough Aerospace Consortium says demand for its 2028 Farnborough Airshow stand is already close to capacity after a record presence at this year’s event.
Aerospace Defence

24 Aug 2026

Airbus expands Belfast A220 wing plant to support production ramp-up
Wing facility extension kicks off at Airbus Belfast
Airbus expands Belfast A220 wing plant to support production ramp-up
Airbus has started a major expansion of its Belfast A220 wing factory, adding production space and a third autoclave as it targets 13 aircraft per month by 2028.
Aerospace

24 Aug 2026

B&H Worldwide appoints Matt Silverberg as CEO
Matt Silverberg
B&H Worldwide appoints Matt Silverberg as CEO
With the appointment of Matt Silverberg as its new Chief Executive Officer, B&H Worldwide aims to accelerate the growth of its specialist logistics solutions for the global aerospace industry.
Aerospace Member News

24 Aug 2026

FAC eyes larger Farnborough presence after record airshow demand
Farnborough International AIrshow 2026
FAC eyes larger Farnborough presence after record airshow demand
Farnborough Aerospace Consortium says demand for its 2028 Farnborough Airshow stand is already close to capacity after a record presence at this year’s event.
Aerospace Defence

24 Aug 2026

British Army hits the target with new radar system
Exercise Rhino Bizz
British Army hits the target with new radar system
Gunners from the British Army are using the wide open spaces of Canada to test a new radar system that can detect threats and guide artillery on to their targets.
Defence

24 Aug 2026

Royal Navy patrol ship conducts first in class flight of Malloy drone
Malloy T-150B drone on HMS Trent warship
Royal Navy patrol ship conducts first in class flight of Malloy drone
Building from Operation Highmast, the Royal Navy announced it has trailed the Malloy T-150B cargo drone from its patrol class vessels for the first time.
Defence

24 Aug 2026

Austrian ENPULSION moves to acquire UK space propulsion specialist Lift Me Off
Enpulsion space propulsion manufacturer buys UK company lift me off
Austrian ENPULSION moves to acquire UK space propulsion specialist Lift Me Off
Austrian spacecraft propulsion manufacturer ENPULSION has agreed to acquire British specialist Lift Me Off, bringing together electric and chemical propulsion capabilities in a deal that will require UK Government approval.
Member News Space

21 Aug 2026

Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
Lanarkshire’s AI Innovation Park
Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
A £202 million guarantee from the UK National Wealth Fund has attracted an investment of £300 million in Lanarkshire's AI Growth Zone, which with Dell Technologies establishing a base there too, is set to support over 3,400 skilled jobs.
UK satellite funding targets connectivity ‘not-spots’ for farmers and remote railways
Young farmer works with a digital tablet in a wheat field, smart farm and quality control
UK satellite funding targets connectivity ‘not-spots’ for farmers and remote railways
British farmers and passengers travelling through remote parts of Scotland could gain better connectivity through a new £13 million package backing 16 UK satellite communications projects.
Space

18 Aug 2026

UK defence jobs jump by 26,000 as MoD spending supports 274,000 workers
UK defence jobs jump by 26,000 as MoD spending supports 274,000 workers
Ministry of Defence spending with UK industry now supports one in every 100 jobs, according to new figures.
Defence Security

21 Aug 2026

Darktrace among first cybersecurity firms selected to integrate risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365
Using laptop and mobile phone
Darktrace among first cybersecurity firms selected to integrate risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365
The integration will bring Darktrace's behavioural risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365, enabling customers to view organisation-specific insights alongside Microsoft signals in a single interface.
Security

20 Aug 2026

Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
Lanarkshire’s AI Innovation Park
Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
A £202 million guarantee from the UK National Wealth Fund has attracted an investment of £300 million in Lanarkshire's AI Growth Zone, which with Dell Technologies establishing a base there too, is set to support over 3,400 skilled jobs.