Surface Report

AI momentum at risk as UK businesses overlook device readiness, research reveals

UK organisations may be at risk of missing the AI opportunity – not due to lack of ambition, but because they are failing to invest in the right hardware, according to a report commissioned by Microsoft. Without the necessary infrastructure to support AI workloads, companies risk losing momentum, productivity and competitive edge. 

According to the 2025 Work Trend Index, 82% of UK business leaders say 2025 will be a pivotal year for AI transformation, and 81% expect to have AI agents embedded into their operations within the next 12 to 18 months.  

While these findings evidence clear ambition for AI, new insights from Microsoft’s latest report, Built for impact: The vital role of devices in accelerating AI success, show a growing urgency for hardware purchase decisions to keep pace. 

Download the full Built for Impact  report here.

Key findings include: 

  • Over half of ITDMs surveyed (58%) are calling for their business to invest in devices that make it easier for employees to access AI tools on a day-to-day basis. 
  • However, only 46% ITDMs are currently factoring AI readiness into their hardware strategy – suggestion an ambition-action gap.  
  • More than half (54%) of ITDMs say employee productivity and performance is a priority in hardware purchases. Yet, 53% of employees say their current device is not currently even fully capable of supporting hybrid working. 

The research, based on surveys of UK enterprise IT decision-makers (ITDMs) and enterprise employees, finds that the impact of what hardware you invest in is clear. A quarter (24%) of ITDMs say opting for cheaper hardware led to higher long-term costs from breakdowns and inefficiencies. Conversely, 40% of all ITDMs surveyed report that investing in premium devices directly improved business outcomes. 

Turning ambition into action 

The report highlights that AI ambition is there: 58% of ITDMs are calling for their business to invest in devices that make it easier for employees to access AI tools on a day-to-day basis. The majority believe AI is critical to the future success of their organisation (56%) and that it’s essential for increasing employee productivity (57%).  

But until action is taken, organisations risk running next-generation workloads on last-generation devices. According to Alan Slothower, Head of Surface Commercial at Microsoft UK, “While many organisations see the opportunity, too few are moving fast enough to equip their people with devices built for the era of on-device AI. If they haven’t already, enterprise hardware conversations must shift from ‘can we afford to upgrade?’ to ‘can we afford not to?’” 

Prioritising action 

Ben Coley, Senior Surface Global Black Belt at Microsoft UK, advises: “IT leaders should ground conversations about hardware procurement in tangible outcomes that everyone in the business can understand and benefit from: namely that AI-enabled devices lower total cost of ownership, energise a diverse, innovation-ready workforce and protect enterprise data.” 

To ensure organisations are positioned to thrive in the AI-enabled future, the report outlines three immediate priorities for ITDMs: 

  1. Select AI-optimised hardware – Equip teams with modern devices featuring NPUs, built-in security from silicon to cloud and a clear roadmap for updates and support. This is fundamentally about prioritising hardware which is built, from the ground up, for fast and secure performance in the AI era. 
  1. Rethink refresh cycles – Adapt device lifecycles to match the current wave of progress in AI progress. This includes taking a more flexible procurement approach through staggered upgrades, leasing and/or device-as-a-service models. This helps keep your teams close to the innovation curve without overcommitting capital. 
  1. Invest in skills and insights – The right skills are key to unlocking the full value of AI-enabling hardware. Offer role-specific AI training and accessibility support, backing this up with a culture that encourages employees to innovate and learn. Tracking usage also lets you identify early wins and guide future roll-outs while ongoing measurement ensures progress is visible, recognised and repeatable. 

As Slothower notes, “AI is here and organisations across the UK are investing in its potential. These strategies must include hardware. Given average refresh cycles, many of the devices bought this year may still be on desks in 2029. It’s important IT leaders act now to ensure their organisations are set up for success.”  Download the full Built for Impact  report here.  

Useful links 

Figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size 199 UK IT decision-makers and 276 UK employees in business size 500 and above. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16th – 29th April 2025.  The survey was carried out online. 

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