Deloitte’s State of AI in the Enterprise report which launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos captured insights from more than 3,300 business and IT leaders around the world who have direct involvement in their company’s AI initiatives.
The findings reveal a cautious yet evolving landscape and despite the widespread discussion surrounding AI, its practical integration into the UK workforce is still emerging – only 18% of UK businesses report that most of their employees have sanctioned AI access, with 6% using these tools daily.
Strategically, UK businesses are favouring a hybrid approach to AI development; 35% combine in-house capabilities with external tools. While 15% plan to build internal expertise, a substantial 50% lean on vendor-built solutions, prioritising speed and scalability.
A notable 21% of UK businesses worry about their own staff misusing AI tools and this concern escalates when considering external threats: 31% fear misuse by other organisations, and a striking 63% are highly concerned about malicious actors exploiting the technology. Furthermore, 57% express unease about their organisation’s reliance on foreign-owned AI technologies and compute provision, highlighting geopolitical and supply chain anxieties.
The regulatory landscape is also a major consideration, with 68% of businesses anticipating more stringent regulations within the next one to three years. On the financial front, while 75% of businesses are already seeing improved efficiencies and productivity from AI, only 18% report increased revenue. A hopeful 72% aim for revenue growth in the future.
Infrastructure presents another hurdle, as 34% worry their current AI tools could become obsolete within two years, and only 30% are confident their existing infrastructure can meet future AI demands.
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