Expleo’s October edition of the monthly AI Pulse reveals that UK business leaders are more optimistic about AI than their counterparts in Germany and France with the UK sentiment score landing at 72, ahead of Germany on 67 and France at 64.
The Expleo AI Pulse, commissioned by the global engineering, technology and consultancy services provider, gauges business sentiment towards AI, ranging from 0 (very worried) to 100 (very confident).
In October, data for the UK suggests that while concerns about AI risks remain, UK business leaders’ confidence in its potential is steadily rising, which is in marked contrast to a more cautious sentiment across continental Europe.
Just one in three (31%) UK respondents said they were worried about how AI is transforming their organisation, down from 36% in September. This suggests a steady improvement in positive sentiment, indicating that leaders’ confidence in and understanding of how AI fits within their operations is growing.
In contrast, concern among German business leaders has grown, with around a third (33%) saying they are worried about AI’s impact, up from 28% earlier in the year. In France, attitudes remain largely unchanged, with around one in three (35%) still expressing concern, a sign that French leaders remain cautious, but their overall outlook has stabilised.
When it comes to cybersecurity, just over half (55%) of UK business leaders said they are worried about the risks posed by AI. This level of concern is roughly the same as in France (55%) and slightly lower than in Germany (59%), where apprehension has grown over recent months.
While cybersecurity clearly remains a top consideration, the figures suggest that UK businesses are becoming more confident in their ability to manage AI’s risks effectively.
Jeff Hoyle, EVP and MD UK & NA at Expleo, said: “The October figures suggest that despite talk of an ‘AI bubble’ spooking markets, UK businesses remain optimistic about its real-world benefits. This may be due to many AI programmes starting to show results and business leaders feeling less overwhelmed by possibilities and more focused on practical value.
“That shift is healthy and indicates that leaders are asking tougher questions about governance, ethics and return on investment, while building the right foundations for long-term success.”
The survey data also points to a clear divergence between markets. Whereas France and Germany are showing signs of caution or renewed concern about AI’s risks, the UK is moving in the opposite direction, towards a more balanced and pragmatic outlook. UK leaders appear increasingly focused on practical benefits and risk management, while continental peers remain more hesitant about how quickly to integrate AI across their organisations.
Hoyle added: “This divergence tells us something important about the state of digital transformation in Europe. The UK’s advantage right now may be more cultural, than technical. Businesses here are approaching AI with curiosity and discipline, willing to innovate, but also careful about ethics and compliance. That mindset will be crucial as AI becomes more deeply embedded in critical business systems and decision-making.”
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