UK project-based businesses are moving beyond experimentation with artificial intelligence and beginning to generate measurable returns, according to new research from Deltek.
The study finds that nearly half of organisations report productivity gains or cost improvements from AI adoption, while a smaller but growing cohort — 12 per cent — say they are already achieving significant, measurable returns on investment.
This marks a broader shift in digital strategy. More than half of UK firms now describe themselves as “advanced” or “mature” in their digital transformation journeys, as companies increasingly embed technology into day-to-day operations rather than treating it as a standalone initiative.
The findings suggest that the nature of digital transformation is evolving. While the proportion of firms identifying as “advanced” has edged down, this appears to reflect rising expectations around system integration and performance, rather than a loss of momentum.
AI is emerging as a central priority within this shift. Almost a third of organisations say operationalising and optimising AI is now a strategic focus, with applications extending across project forecasting, planning, reporting and resource management.
Early benefits are already visible. Alongside reported productivity improvements, firms expect AI to become a key driver of profitability in the coming year, particularly as project portfolios grow more complex and require tighter cost control.
Operational discipline remains a parallel focus. The research indicates high levels of confidence in project tracking, with a large majority of firms reporting that they can monitor profitability effectively and maintain oversight of key performance indicators such as utilisation and overhead rates. This reflects the increasing reliance on integrated digital systems to support decision-making.
The shift is also reshaping workforce priorities. AI literacy is identified as the most important skill requirement over the next three years, even as adoption itself is cited as the leading challenge facing project-based organisations.
Neil Davidson, group vice-president for the professional services sector at Deltek, said the industry was reaching an inflection point. “After years of investment in digital foundations, firms are now focused on converting that into measurable productivity gains,” he said. “Those that embed AI into the core of how they run projects and serve clients will define the next phase of the market.”
As adoption becomes more consistent, the research suggests that the value derived from AI is likely to scale — shifting it from a tool of experimentation to a core driver of performance across the UK’s project economy.
