As AI tools become more accessible and integrated into everyday life, Adobe Express set out to better understand how people across the UK are using this technology at home, at work, and everywhere in between.
To uncover the truth behind AI habits, productivity hacks, and emerging concerns, Adobe Express surveyed over 1,000 UK adults. The result is a look at how the nation is embracing AI to boost creativity, streamline everyday tasks, and save time and money.
Currently, people in Glasgow are saving more than £50 per month by using AI, saving time on work and day-to-day tasks. They are followed by 26% of Mancunians and 23% of people in Newcastle.
Half (50%) of people in Newcastle are saving up to £50 per month, followed by a third (33%) of Mancunians, and Londoners. See the full list of savings below:
Key Findings: AI Adoption Across the UK
- 40% of people now use AI both at work and in their personal lives
- 15% use AI solely for work, and 25% in their personal life
- 31% don’t use AI at all, while 5% want to learn more about it
- 72% reported a moderate to significant productivity boost from using AI
- 47% say AI saves them up to 4 hours per week at home
- 43% save up to 4 hours weekly at work, with 12% saving more than 10
From recipe generation to birthday invitations, AI is fast becoming the go-to tool for everything from creativity to admin. More than half of people (51%) say they’re saving money using AI, with a quarter saving up to £50 a month.
AI at Home: Life Admin, Personal Projects & Creativity
The survey found that people commonly use AI for:
- Information research (65%)
- Smart communication (29%)
- Entertainment (28%)
- Personal organisation & fitness tracking (41%)
In cities like Southampton, Sheffield, and Liverpool, AI is being used to support creative writing,
health tracking, and online learning. People in Glasgow are saving the most money with AI, while Southampton leads in time saved.
Why Some Still Aren’t Onboard
Despite the clear benefits, adoption barriers remain:
- 31% are concerned about data privacy
- 27% struggle with understanding or using AI tools
- 19% fear becoming too reliant or losing skills
- 14% are put off by subscription costs
In cities like Belfast, Birmingham, and Cardiff, trust and ease-of-use were top concerns. Industries such as science, pharmaceuticals, and creative arts cited a lack of education as the key reason they avoid AI.
Top Tips for Using AI More Effectively:
Inspire ideas
AI-generated prompts can help inspire ideas, designs and content starters, generative AI tools can help offer fresh ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Think mood boards, presentation and design assets, or simply a starting point to creative something completely unique. Use AI as a springboard for your existing creative skills, or play around with editing tools to learn something new.
Streamline your schedule
AI tools are ideal for streamlining workflows, whether it’s your professional schedule or your personal calendar. Use tools to automate repetitive tasks and forecast timelines or utilise virtual assistances to help schedule reminders and respond to emails.
Be mindful of sources
It’s true that almost one in five (18%) people are sceptical about the reliability of AI outputs, and it’s certainly something to bear in mind. AI tools can deliver a world of information in just a few prompts, but it’s important to remember to check your sources to mitigate spreading false information.
Look out for free tools and trials
Almost one in six people (14%) miss out on the tools and possibilities AI-generated services can provide due to concerns surrounding subscription costs. But there are plenty of creative tools out there that don’t come at a price.
If you’d like more information about how people are using AI at home and at work, please visit: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/learn/blog/ai-guide
