From spreadsheets to AI - the shift in professional services

Matt Cockett at Dayshape shares his perspective on what  the UK Government’s support for AI adoption in professional and business services means for professional services firms

 

The UK’s professional services sector has always been one of its strongest assets. Accountancy, consultancy and legal services provide the backbone for businesses of all sizes, shaping everything from financial stability to governance and growth. Yet they can operate in quite traditional ways. But change is accelerating fast and the way these firms operate is being reshaped by technology - artificial intelligence is now at the heart of that shift.

 

When the government announced a £150 million package earlier this year to accelerate AI adoption in professional and business services, it was more than a short-term boost and a nod of support. It was recognition that the industry must evolve if the UK is to remain competitive on the global stage. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has announced a £5bn investment in UK artificial intelligence, funding infrastructure and research including a new data centre in Hertfordshire and expanded support for DeepMind. The move, unveiled ahead of Donald Trump’s state visit, is pitched as a vote of confidence in the UK economy and its role in global AI development. AI is no longer hype, or a niche part of certain industries. It is becoming a daily reality in how professionals deliver their work, interact with clients and make decisions.

 

 

A broader industrial strategy

The £150 million investment sits within a wider industrial strategy launched in June 2025. Alongside advanced manufacturing, clean energy and the creative industries, professional services have been identified as a core UK strength. The government’s target is ambitious: to double business investment in the sector from £30 billion to £65 billion.

 

That ambition recognises that the sector is both an economic driver and a global calling card. Britain’s accountants, consultants and lawyers are sought after around the world, and recognised as leaders. Supporting them with new infrastructure, skills and access to AI technologies doesn’t just protect jobs but strengthens the UK’s position as a trusted partner internationally.

 

 

Programmes tailored for services

Importantly, the funding is not being channelled into generic schemes. Instead, it builds on initiatives with a proven track record, such as Made Smarter Adoption. Originally designed for manufacturing firms, this programme is now being adapted to the needs of professional services.

 

The aim is straightforward - help firms access the expertise, tools and training that make AI adoption practical and sustainable. For a mid-sized consultancy in Manchester, an accountancy partnership in Bristol or a law practice in Edinburgh, the goal is to remove barriers, build confidence and enable them to adopt AI at scale.

 

This support is particularly valuable for smaller and mid-tier firms, which often lack the resources of global players By creating regional hubs and strengthening the role of bodies like the Professional and Business Services Council, the investment helps ensure the benefits of AI are felt across the UK rather than concentrated in London and the South East where much investment, private and public, seems to flow.

 

 

The shift from theory to practice

AI is already being used in ways that go far beyond automating repetitive processes. Firms are weaving it into client engagement, scenario planning and decision-making. Large language models are enabling natural-language access to operational data, meaning senior leaders no longer need to wait for lengthy reports. Instead, they can ask direct questions such as “Which projects are underperforming?” or “Where will my resource gaps be next quarter?” and receive precise, actionable insights in seconds.

 

This kind of capability changes the nature of work. Data becomes something you can interrogate instantly, rather than sift through retrospectively and report on. The impact is twofold. Professionals spend less time on administration, and firms gain a clearer view of where to act for maximum impact.

 

 

Why trust matters

As nice as it would be to have a magic bullet, technology alone cannot deliver transformation. Professional services rely on client trust, and the same principle applies to technology. For AI to be widely adopted, it must be transparent, auditable and user-friendly. Professionals need to understand how outputs are generated, see clear audit trails and retain control of the decision-making process. A black box system will fail.

 

Without this assurance, uptake will stall. That is why governance and user experience must sit alongside investment. Firms that embed these principles from the outset will be better placed to use AI responsibly and confidently.

 

 

The bigger picture

The £150 million package is just one part of a much larger commitment. Through the Spending Review, the government has pledged £2 billion for AI, including expanding compute capacity, growing public-sector research and developing skills. Plans for a UK Compute Roadmap, AI growth zones and partnerships with leading global players underline the ambition to make Britain a leader in applied AI.

 

For professional services firms, this means more than just new tools and shiny systems. It is about creating the foundations for long-term transformation where they can attract skilled people, experiment with confidence, and scale innovations that deliver measurable value.

 

 

From pilots to transformation

The opportunity now is to move from isolated pilots to meaningful change across the sector. AI should reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks, free professionals to focus on strategic thinking and client relationships, and provide the insights that allow firms to maintain a competitive edge.

 

The combination of targeted government support, stronger infrastructure and cultural readiness suggests the sector is at a tipping point. Those who embrace AI with purpose and place trust at the centre of adoption will thrive.

 

Professional services have always been about combining expertise with judgment. AI, done well, can enhance both. No one is saying they want to replace human skill – instead it’s about amplifying it. With the right balance of investment, governance and ambition, this could be the moment when the sector takes a decisive step into a new era of growth. 

 

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Matt Cockett is CEO at Dayshape

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and AndreyPopov