This surge positions the UK ahead of the global curve with 32 per cent of firms ensure all new applications are containerised, outpacing the global average of 27 per cent.

This rapid adoption comes with a significant skills gap. Alarmingly, only 42 per cent of IT leaders feel their teams are equipped to support this cloud-native revolution. In response, 59 per cent of UK businesses are on a hiring spree, seeking experts in a container and cloud-native technologies to bridge this chasm.

Nutanix's Director of Systems Engineering James Sturrock warned: "The UK is at a pivotal moment in its GenAI adoption journey. While organisations are eager to leverage AI-driven productivity and automation, security, integration with existing infrastructure, and skills shortages continue to slow progress."

Despite these challenges, UK enterprises remain optimistic, with 72 per cent anticipating a positive return on investment from GenAI projects within the next three years. Yet, the journey is fraught with obstacles, including security concerns, compliance issues, and the readiness of IT infrastructure.

The ECI report highlights that while cloud-native momentum grows, Kubernetes adoption in the UK lags. Only 60 per cent of respondents use more than one environment, compared to 76 per cent across EMEA. Additionally, 86 per cent acknowledge the need to bolster security measures for GenAI models.

As UK organisations race towards a tech-driven future, balancing rapid adoption and addressing foundational challenges will be crucial. The nation's ability to navigate these complexities will determine its standing in the global technological arena.