Expleo’s September edition of the monthly AI Pulse reveals that more than half (52%) of senior decision-makers believe the country is living in an ‘AI bubble’, where investment and expectations are ahead of what the technology can deliver. Despite this perception of hype, enthusiasm for AI remains strong.
The Expleo AI Pulse, commissioned by the global engineering, technology and consultancy services provider, gauges sentiment towards the use of AI in business, ranging from 0 (very worried) to 100 (very confident).
The index captures levels of worry, excitement, trust and confidence in AI-led technology, tracing shifts over time and offering business leaders unique insights into collective attitudes towards AI to help inform decision-making.
The sentiment score for the UK in September was 74, with more than four in five employees (81%) saying they feel positive about AI. Confidence is just as strong, with eight in ten (80%) assured of their organisations’ ability to deploy AI successfully, matching the high level recorded in August.
Trust in the ethical use of AI also remains robust, with over four in five (83%) maintaining confidence. Meanwhile, concern about AI’s impact on business has eased, with around one in three (31%) still worried, down from more than a third (36%) last month.
Jeff Hoyle, EVP and MD UK & NA, Expleo, said: “September’s figures reveal a interesting contradiction. More than half of UK leaders believe we’re in an AI bubble, yet levels of excitement and confidence in the technology remains high.”
“This is a sign that organisations are moving from hype into a more disciplined phase of AI adoption. They understand the technology’s potential but also its current limitations, and they’re looking for clear value, ethical safeguards and secure integration before committing at scale. That’s exactly the mindset that will allow AI to deliver on its promise in the long-term.”
Additional findings from September’s survey show a slight easing of concern over cybersecurity. In August, more than half of UK business leaders (56%) said they were worried about the cybersecurity risks posed by AI, while in September that share dropped to one in two (50%). Although half of organisations still view AI as a security risk, the shift suggests that some leaders may be gaining confidence in their ability to manage it.
The shift comes against a backdrop of high-profile cyber incidents, such as recent attacks on major UK manufacturers and European transport systems, alongside government initiatives to strengthen resilience. Together these developments may be helping to balance perceptions of risk with a sense that effective defences are possible.
Hoyle added: “We’re seeing leaders become more confident that, with the right safeguards and investment, AI’s security risks can be managed. This growing assurance is crucial as organisations look to scale AI without increasing their exposure.”
Expleo’s AI Pulse will continue to track these trends, offering a real-time view of how UK business attitudes towards AI develop as organisations move from initial pilots to full-scale deployment.
For more information, visit expleo.com
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