One in three UK business leaders unsettled by pace of AI change

• 32% of UK business leaders say the pace of AI development has made them less positive about the technology over the past year, making it the strongest adverse influence measured in Expleo's latest AI Pulse
• Ethical and responsible AI use has negatively influenced sentiment among 29% of UK business leaders, while 24% cite concerns about the quality, accuracy and reliability of AI outputs
• 52% of UK business leaders say their organisation's ability to govern, monitor and manage AI risks has made them more positive about AI
• The Expleo UK AI Pulse score remained at 65 in September 2026 for a third consecutive month, nine points below its September 2025 peak of 74

London, UK, 20 October 2026 - Nearly one in three (32%) UK business leaders are unsettled by how quickly AI is developing, new data from Expleo, the engineering, technology and consulting services company, reveals. Yet strong governance may offer a counterweight, with more than half (52%) saying their organisation's ability to manage AI risks has improved their outlook.

The findings come as the Expleo UK AI Pulse score held at 65 in September for a third consecutive month, nine points below its September 2025 peak of 74.

The pace of AI development had the greatest negative influence on leaders' views of the technology, ahead of ethical and responsible use (29%) and the quality, accuracy and reliability of AI outputs (24%). This suggests that concerns extend beyond the speed of technological development to how reliably and responsibly AI can be used.

Jonathan Taylor, MD - UK, Expleo, said: "Tech companies may be focused on rapid AI release schedules, but business leaders are accountable for what happens when that technology goes live. They need time to understand what each new capability means for their customers, employees and critical decisions before they leap in.

"I think that helps explain why one in three leaders say the pace of AI development has made them less positive. They haven't become naysayers. They're bringing their experience to bear and making slower, more considered decisions."

Against these concerns, attitudes towards the benefits of robust AI governance offer a more positive signal. More than half (52%) of UK leaders say their organisation's ability to govern, monitor and manage AI risks has improved their view of the technology, compared with 22% who say it has had the opposite effect.

Taylor continued: "Good governance and guardrails are clearly helping some businesses feel more confident about their ability to use AI effectively. Others still have questions about how much control they really have. Having policies in place is one thing. Knowing where AI is influencing decisions, whether its outputs can be trusted and who takes responsibility when things don't go to plan is another. I'd want clear answers to those questions before scaling AI or investing further."