More than half of senior business leaders in the UK say they do not plan to introduce artificial intelligence into their operations over the next year. The finding comes from a new survey carried out by tech company boxxe, which looked at how people in high level roles view the technology.
According to boxxe, 57% of senior decision makers are avoiding AI for now. Many are still unsure whether the systems can be trusted to make the right calls, with 50% saying they do not trust AI to make decisions on behalf of their business. With costs, 46% said their company cannot currently afford to implement AI. Another 44% felt AI would bring in extra complexity, making things harder both financially and operationally.
Chris Carlisle, Business Consultant and acting Chief Services Officer at boxxe, said, “UK businesses and senior leaders appear to want to adopt AI given the perceived benefits, yet are unsure how to tackle it.
“This is interesting as the Government recently released an AI Action plan to address the growing demand for AI professionals.
“The plan includes measures to train tens of thousands of individuals in AI-related fields by 2030. This involves supporting universities in expanding AI programs, offering scholarships to attract global talent, and promoting alternative pathways like apprenticeships and lifelong learning programmes.”
It also appears that most of those in charge are not eager to take on new technology early. Only 29% of respondents saw themselves as being early adopters. This slow pace of adoption is taking place despite the wider attention on tools like Microsoft Copilot, which are being tested or used by teams around the country.
Data security worries also continue to surface. More than half of those surveyed, 56%, said they were worried about how AI could affect privacy or the handling of their data.
What Do Businesses Actually Think AI Is Good For?
Even with worries, most UK businesses still seem to believe that AI could bring good results. In the same study by boxxe, about 78% of business leaders said they saw AI as something that could help improve operational efficiency. 53% also believed it could support creative work and help spark innovation within their teams.
55% of senior figures even said they expected to see a return on their AI investment within six months if they went ahead with it. That level of confidence suggests that while there is hesitation, many still think AI could be useful if done correctly.
Now, while there is often talk about AI replacing jobs, most leaders are not too concerned about this. Only 12% said they feared AI could lead to job losses. Instead, many appear to view AI as a tool that can work alongside their staff rather than take their place.
This shows that UK companies may not be rejecting AI entirely but are instead struggling to make a confident move towards using it.
Who Is Making The Decisions About AI In Businesses?
Most of the decisions about whether to use AI or not are being made by top executives. In 60% of businesses surveyed, it was the CEO or Managing Director who had the final say. That means the people who need to understand AI the most are often the ones least likely to have daily experience with it.
The study found that 41% of UK businesses still have a serious lack of knowledge about AI. Another 52% blamed this gap in understanding as the main reason for not using the technology. Half of the businesses surveyed also said they did not trust AI, which points to how strong the link is between not knowing much about a tool and being unwilling to use it.
This lack of understanding at the top level could be stalling progress across the board. The survey just shows the need for training and education, particularly for senior leaders, if businesses are going to feel more confident about AI.
How Businesses Can Implement AI In 2025
Chris has given tips on how businesses can stay up to date with AI knowledge and implementation…
Courses that focus on a strategic leadership use of AI, not just operational
“C-suite execs should take courses that focus on return on investment, risk management, ethics, and industry disruption potential, not just improve day to day operations. There’s a lot of reputable providers that offer such courses, so decision makers should ensure they research a course that is appropriate for their needs.”
Join peer networks
“Partaking in professional roundtables, AI councils and leadership forums can all help expand knowledge of AI and its applications. These types of networks can offer real insight, support and case studies through peer-to-peer discussions. They can also help foster a culture of innovation within the business through listening to trials of AI from other leaders.
Executives should champion sponsoring pilot AI projects through allocated a set budget for AI experimentation and encourage other colleagues within the organisational structure to trial AI programs.”
Collaborate with experts
“Collaborating with an expert in the field such as an AI Consultant can support with not only training, but implementation throughout the business. An advisor or consultant will be able to translate AI and its intricacies into actionable, bitesize chunks for senior leaders while building a realistic roadmap to adoption.
They’ll be able to streamline the opportunity through identifying the best application of AI within your business in a realistic manner. They’ll also be able to set measurable KPIs to assess real business impact and ensure you remain up to date on the latest governance and AI regulations.”
