LONDON: Chief financial officers (CFOs) at many of the UK’s largest companies have become increasingly positive about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), while concerns over geopolitical uncertainty have eased slightly, according to a Deloitte survey released on Monday.
The report found that 73% of finance executives believe AI will have a positive impact on their organizations’ performance. This marks a significant rise from 59% recorded at the end of last year and 39% two years earlier, highlighting growing confidence in the technology’s business value.
The survey also revealed a decline in anxiety over global political tensions. On a scale of 0 to 100, the average level of geopolitical concern fell to 68, compared with 79 at the beginning of 2026.
Concerns about the UK’s weak productivity and lack of competitiveness remained largely unchanged, receiving an average score of 63. Meanwhile, worries over rising energy costs and potential disruptions to energy supplies dropped to 60, down from 70 in the first quarter of the year.
Commenting on the findings, Deloitte UK Chief Economist Debapratim De said the global economy had proved more resilient to the effects of the Iran conflict than many had expected. However, he noted that geopolitical risks and domestic competitiveness continue to weigh on business leaders, prompting finance chiefs to maintain a strong focus on controlling costs and preserving cash flow.
The survey was conducted between July 1 and July 13 and gathered responses from 58 chief financial officers across major UK businesses.
