Deloitte’s latest survey of UK Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), conducted between 1 and 13 July 2026, shows that CFOs are becoming more optimistic about AI’s impact on business.
Finance leaders have become progressively more optimistic about AI improving their own businesses’ performance as 73% now report an improvement in AI optimism over the last 12 months, compared to 59% in Q4 2025 and 39% in Q3 2024.Nearly all CFOs (96%) expect to see a rise in investment in digital technology and assets by UK businesses over the next five years, with 93% expecting a rise in the next 12 months.
More than three quarters (78%) expect greater productivity and improved business performance over the next five years. With many corporates now well into their AI deployment programmes, half (50%) of respondents also expect productivity gains over the coming 12 months.
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