ONS maps how to measure AI’s role in the UK economy

The Office for National Statistics is developing an AI thematic account to measure AI’s contribution to the UK economy. The account will remain consistent with national accounts principles while making AI visible in output, imports, investment, exports, intermediate and final demand. The work reflects the shift from System of National Accounts 2008, which does not explicitly refer to AI, to System of National Accounts 2025, which brings AI, data and cloud computing into its guidance.

The ONS defines the scope around the System of National Accounts treatment of AI as capabilities of a computer program or system controlled by a computer program. Coverage will include AI infrastructure, AI goods, direct services and supporting services, including hyperscale data centres, chips, robotics, autonomous vehicles, model development, deployment, security and downstream uses such as medical diagnosis, education and recruitment. Measurement remains difficult because AI is embedded in other technologies, adoption intensity varies, definitions evolve, and ownership often crosses borders through cloud services, licences and global supply chains.

Survey evidence shows adoption broadening beyond specialist uses. Among businesses with 10 or more employees, use of at least one AI technology rose from about 12% in 2023 to around 35% in the June 2026 wave, and reached 49% for businesses with more than 250 employees. Information and communication businesses reported 58% use, ahead of education at 51%, professional, scientific and technical activities at 46%, and construction at 13%.

A roadmap agreed in September 2026 runs through scoping, data review, methodology selection, prototype estimates and productionisation. The target is an experimental AI thematic account ready by March 2028, with estimates of AI impact on UK GDP, GVA by industry, and domestic versus imported supply.