AI is increasing the need for human meetings, not reducing it, according to new research commissioned by The Meetings Show.
Challenging assumptions about the role of technology in improving efficiency, almost two-thirds of business leaders (62%) say AI is increasing the need for human discussion and alignment. The findings come from the UK Productivity Gap Index, a new study based on a survey of 1,000 UK business leaders. Conducted in partnership with The Business of Events, it reveals how everyday collaboration challenges are slowing organisations down.
More than a third (36%) report AI has already had a major or significant operational impact, with a further 30% experiencing moderate disruption. Face- to-face interaction remains central to how organisations navigate that complexity. Almost two-thirds (65%) of leaders say complex or sensitive decisions are made more quickly in person, rising to 82% for important decisions.
While hybrid continues to evolve, the picture is mixed. Half of leaders believe it is slowing early-career development, yet 59% say knowledge-sharing has improved since the pandemic. Together, the findings suggest organisations are still working out how to balance flexibility with effective collaboration.
Jack Marczewski, Portfolio Event Director of The Meetings Show, said: “We wanted this research to reflect how work actually happens inside organisations today.
Productivity isn’t just about tools or effort – it’s about how well teams align, make decisions, and move forward. As AI becomes more embedded, the need for clear, confident decision-making becomes even more important, and bringing people together in the right environment is a big part of that.”