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AI readiness assessment

This short check shows whether your business is ready to get value from AI or automation. It covers the five areas where small and medium UK firms often stall, and takes about three minutes. No email or sign-up is needed.

A clear problem worth solving

AI pays off when it targets a specific costly task. In DSIT's 2025 research, the barrier cited most often (71%) was having no identified need, so starting with a clear problem avoids wasted spend.

Data you can actually use

Many firms have information trapped in spreadsheets and inboxes. If the data is messy or scattered, any AI output will be unreliable.

Systems that connect

Core software needs to share information through APIs. Without connections, automation becomes manual copy-paste between tools.

Governance and risk

The ICO says that in the vast majority of cases AI use is likely to be high-risk processing that requires a DPIA. You must know who signs off and what data may leave your control.

People and ownership

A named owner and willing staff make or break a pilot. ONS data shows adopting firms use few technologies, so focus and ownership matter more than breadth.

Question 1

A clear problem worth solving

1. What is the main task you think AI could help with?

Question 2

A clear problem worth solving

2. How is the problem currently measured?

Question 3

A clear problem worth solving

3. If the task were automated, what would the benefit be?

Question 4

Data you can actually use

4. Where does the information this task needs live today?

Question 5

Data you can actually use

5. How clean and consistent is that data?

Question 6

Data you can actually use

6. Can you get the data out for use by another tool?

Question 7

Systems that connect

7. Do your core business systems allow other software to connect?

Question 8

Systems that connect

8. If you wanted to send data between tools, what effort is needed?

Question 9

Governance and risk

9. Before using AI on customer data, what checks do you do?

Question 10

Governance and risk

10. Who decides what data may be sent to a third-party AI service?

Question 11

People and ownership

11. Is there a named person responsible for making AI work?

Question 12

People and ownership

12. How willing are staff to try a small pilot?

Your result

Answer all 12 questions to see your score.

Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere. The score is calculated in your browser.

FAQ

AI readiness assessment FAQs

Do I need to know about AI technology to use this assessment?

No. The questions are written for a business owner, not a technical expert. We ask where data lives, who owns the task and whether your systems connect. Each answer is a simple choice about your current setup. The result points to practical next steps rather than jargon. If you are unsure on any point, pick the closest option and review the advice given for your weakest area.

What does the Data Protection Impact Assessment mentioned in the results mean?

A DPIA is a required check under UK GDPR when processing is high risk. The ICO says the vast majority of AI use falls into this category. It means you must document what personal data is used, the risk to individuals and how it is reduced. Our guidance suggests naming a sign-off owner and reviewing outputs. We can discuss this on a free call before any build.

How do the ONS and DSIT figures differ and why are they both cited?

DSIT surveyed 3,500 UK businesses in early 2025 and found 16% using AI, with no identified need the top barrier. ONS data from June 2026 shows about 35% of firms with 10+ employees using AI, up from 12% in late 2023. The surveys use different samples and periods, so we do not equate them. Together they show adoption is rising but many firms still lack a clear problem to solve.

What happens after I get my score?

You will see which of the five areas scored lowest and read specific advice. The band result explains your overall readiness and suggests a next step. If you want help, we offer a free call to discuss a pilot. AI and automation projects from our Worcestershire team start at £5,000. No email is captured by this tool.