A new AI Pulse sentiment tracker by Expleo indicates rising optimism among UK business leaders about artificial intelligence, despite hurdles like talent gaps and cybersecurity concerns, as firms accelerate adoption and investment.
Expleo’s latest AI Pulse sentiment tracker has revealed a notably positive outlook among UK business leaders towards artificial intelligence as of August, with an overall confidence score of 73 on a scale where 100 indicates very high confidence. The tracker, commissioned by Expleo—a global engineering, technology, and consultancy services provider—reflects a growing enthusiasm for AI’s potential benefits amid the UK’s evolving technological landscape.
With participation from over 200 UK business leaders, the survey found that more than half (52%) were excited about the opportunities AI brings to their organisations, while a strong 80% expressed confidence in their company’s ability to successfully implement AI initiatives. Furthermore, ethical use of AI remains a key trust factor, with 84% of respondents affirming their belief in responsible deployment of AI technologies. Despite this prevailing optimism, some caution remains: over a third of participants (36%) admitted to concerns about how AI might transform their business, although 44% reported having no worries at all.
Jeff Hoyle, EVP and Managing Director for the UK and North America at Expleo, noted the dual nature of this positive sentiment. Speaking about the findings, he said, “August’s largely positive picture suggests that many organisations are excitedly racing towards the promise of AI and focused on realising greater productivity, more precise decision-making and enhanced client experience.” However, Hoyle highlighted hurdles that organisations are starting to encounter, including difficulties with scaling AI solutions to the enterprise level, integration challenges with legacy systems, budgetary constraints, and a shortage of internal expertise. These barriers are affecting many businesses’ ability to secure a return on their AI investments.
The report also touched on the critical and timely issue of AI in cybersecurity—a domain where sentiment remains deeply divided. Respondents were almost equally split, with 56% expressing concerns about AI’s potential risks in this area, while 42% said they had no worries. Hoyle underscored the paradoxical nature of AI in cybersecurity: “Discord around AI’s impact on cybersecurity may reflect the double-edged nature of the technology, which can be used for good to anticipate and prevent cyber-attacks before they happen, or exploited by bad actors who use AI to circumvent security measures.”
This emerging landscape aligns with broader UK business trends captured in recent surveys. Data from Accenture and S&P Global from July indicate sustained optimism in UK business growth, with many companies planning to boost investment in technologies such as AI as part of their strategy to counter inflationary pressures and rising interest rates. Significantly, nearly 30% of UK firms intend to increase their AI investments, up from just 18% in early 2022, underscoring AI’s central role in future business transformation.
Yet, talent shortages continue to temper some of this enthusiasm. Expleo’s Business Transformation Index 2023 revealed that 49% of UK organisations are experiencing challenges in their digital transformation programmes due to a scarcity of skilled technology professionals and rising salary expectations. Nearly 80% of businesses expressed concerns about a lack of talent in emerging technologies, including generative AI, with many struggling to retain staff due to affordability issues. Angus Panton, head of banking and financial services at Expleo, emphasised that this skills gap is a significant impediment to fully leveraging AI technologies.
Despite these challenges, the momentum for AI adoption remains strong. In a broader European survey covering the UK, Germany, France, and Ireland, 98% of business leaders anticipate that AI will transform their industries within the next three years. Currently, 24% have already deployed AI tools, and an additional 72% expect to implement them within the next 12 months. This wave of adoption signals a rapid integration of AI across sectors, bolstered by growing confidence in the technology’s ability to drive business innovation.
Moreover, AI is also seen as a catalyst for workforce development in the UK. A survey by Experis found that more than half of British employers expect AI to have a positive impact on their staff headcount over the next two years. Additionally, a strong majority anticipate that AI will enhance upskilling and reskilling efforts (69%), as well as improve employee engagement (67%), signalling AI’s potential to support not only operational efficiencies but also workforce growth and development.
Taken together, these insights portray a UK business environment that is enthusiastic and forward-looking about AI, embracing its transformative potential while remaining pragmatically aware of integration, security, and talent challenges. The combination of high trust in ethical AI use and a keen interest in leveraging AI for competitive advantage suggests the UK is positioning itself as a leader in responsible AI innovation. However, as businesses push forward, addressing skills shortages and cybersecurity risks will be essential to converting AI’s promise into sustained, productive outcomes.
Source: Noah Wire Services
