AI could boost economy by £95bn – yet young barely touch it

The UK has ranked number four in Commonwealth countries best placed to help young people benefit from AI.

The researchers from Ayre think tank have calculated that AI could increase the level of British GDP by £95 billion after ten years.

Only beaten by Singapore, Malta and Australia, it places the UK among just five Commonwealth countries to score 70 or above and comfortably ahead of the study’s readiness benchmark of 53.

Despite the UK’s pioneering technology industry, it only scored 4.7 out of 10 for purposeful AI use and creation. This is the lowest among the Commonwealth’s ten leading countries.

Only 31.5% of young respondents reported using AI for their studies, which may be on the rise following October 2026, in which the government announced 10,000 new work experience placements in the technology sector, alongside an ambition to give one million young people access to AI and technology learning by 2028.

However, fears are rising around ethical use and environmental impact of AI amongst the younger generation are causing less use from the younger age range.

Calvin Ayre, founder of the Ayre Think Tank, said:“I’ve spent my life in businesses where new technology changes everything, and I know you can’t stand still. AI is going to change how we work, how we do business and how wealth is created. But this is not a race that only the biggest or richest countries can win.

“What matters is giving young people the skills and the chance to get ahead – whether to start businesses, find jobs or build something for themselves. Some Commonwealth countries are ahead, others have catching up to do. Nobody can afford to be complacent.”

Ayre are calling on governments, educators and development partners to better understand the particular barriers young people face in each country before deciding where investment can make the greatest impact.