According to the UK Government’s AI Opportunity Forum, artificial intelligence could add £119 billion to the UK economy by 2030, primarily through automation, smarter decision-making, and more efficient use of data.

But this impact won’t be distributed evenly. It will favour businesses that are prepared, such as those with the right systems, the right strategies, and the foresight to modernise now.

How AI is already transforming business for some UK firms

• Rolls-Royce is cutting downtime by using predictive AI for equipment maintenance.
  
  
• Lloyds Bank is using AI-powered analytics to spot fraud in real time.
  
  
• John Lewis has implemented visual AI to deliver hyper-personalised online shopping experiences.
  
  
• A UK Civil Service pilot of Microsoft 365 Copilot reclaimed the equivalent of two working weeks per employee annually via smart automation (Microsoft, 2024).
  
  
• According to KPMG, 67% of UK CEOs believe generative AI will significantly improve operational efficiency by 2026.

AI needs more than plug-and-play

While many companies turn to plug-and-play AI tools and chatbots, the real value lies beneath the surface in systems integration, custom workflows and intelligent automation.

It means using AI not just to answer customer queries, but to:

• Detect faults before they cause downtime.
  
  
• Predict future demand using historical and real-time data.
  
  
• Automate routine internal processes to free up human creativity.
  
  
• Generate accurate, tailored reports without manual input.

But none of this works unless systems are ready and that’s where bespoke software comes in.

Why bespoke software is key to AI success

At Propel Tech, we believe AI is only as powerful as the system it runs on.

Off-the-shelf platforms might offer quick wins, but they often fall short when it comes to handling the complexity and uniqueness of your data, operations, and business goals. That’s why we focus on building and modernising tailored software that gives AI the foundations it needs to deliver long-term value.

What makes software “AI-ready”?

Secure and scalable architecture 
Clean, structured, and accessible data
Strong integration between systems
Automated testing and DevOps pipelines
Modular design that can evolve alongside AI tools

How Propel Tech helps businesses gear up for AI

We work with organisations of all sizes and types to modernise existing systems, enhance performance, and unlock AI capabilities. Here's how:

Software health checks - A no-obligation audit to assess code quality, system performance, and AI readiness. Request your free audit here

Modernisation projects - We evolve systems gradually, avoiding disruption while adding scalability, flexibility, and futureproofing.

Bespoke development - We build software that’s fit for your people, your data, and your goals.

AI Integration - From process automation to embedded machine learning models, we make AI work for your business, not the other way around.
Read how we supported SSE Plc with secure cloud modernisation to enable better performance and compliance in a high-regulation sector.

What’s at stake for businesses that wait?

Data is exploding. In retail alone, 59% of UK leaders expect a significant increase in data volumes over the next two years (Microsoft Industry Insights, 2024). Across manufacturing, finance, logistics and healthcare, the story is the same.

Failing to prepare systems for AI now could mean:

Missed opportunities for cost savings and efficiency
Risk of tech debt and system lock-in
Difficulty attracting and retaining digital talent
Falling behind more agile, AI-empowered competitors

 

David Ritchie, Co-founder at Propel Tech, comments: 

“AI isn’t a bolt-on. For it to drive real, scalable value, it has to be built on systems that truly reflect your data, processes and priorities. That’s why AI-ready infrastructure, tailored to your business, is the route to sustainable, meaningful innovation.”

Ready to modernise? Let’s start with a free audit

Propel Tech’s free software and AI readiness audit helps businesses take their first smart step towards transformation. No pressure. No disruption. Just honest insight from experienced developers. Book your free audit today

Explore more from Propel Tech:

Your guide to software modernisation
What makes software AI-ready?
Our full range of software services