UK finance chiefs are betting on artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and profitability, with confidence in the technology rising as geopolitical and energy risks begin to ease.
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| Britain's finance leaders see artificial intelligence as a practical tool for improving business performance, even as economic and productivity challenges persist. Image: FC |
FC Desk — July 20, 2026:
Imagine a chief financial officer preparing next year's budget. Instead of spending weeks manually reviewing sales forecasts, operating costs, and cash flow projections, AI analyzes millions of data points in minutes, identifies financial risks, spots opportunities to cut expenses, and suggests where investment could deliver the highest returns. For many finance leaders in the UK, that future is quickly becoming today's reality.
A new Deloitte survey shows growing confidence that artificial intelligence is becoming one of the finance department's most valuable tools. Nearly three-quarters, or 73%, of chief financial officers at Britain's largest companies believe AI will improve their companies' performance. That's up from 59% at the end of last year and just 39% two years ago.
The rapid shift suggests finance executives are moving beyond the hype surrounding AI. Rather than treating it as an experimental technology, they increasingly see it as a practical solution that can improve forecasting, automate routine financial processes, strengthen risk management, and support faster, data-driven decisions.
For CFOs, those benefits matter more than ever. Finance teams are under constant pressure to control spending while finding new ways to improve profitability. AI can help by reducing manual workloads, detecting unusual financial patterns, improving budgeting accuracy, and giving executives better visibility into cash flow and business performance.
That growing confidence comes as concerns about external risks begin to ease. Deloitte's survey found that CFOs' average rating for geopolitical concerns dropped to 68 from 79 at the start of 2026, reflecting stronger confidence that businesses can withstand international disruptions.
The global economy has proven more resilient than many expected following the conflict involving Iran. While companies remain alert to geopolitical developments, fears of a deeper economic shock have softened, allowing executives to focus more on long-term investments, including digital transformation.
Energy worries have also eased. Concerns about higher energy prices and supply disruptions fell to 60 from 70 in the first quarter, reducing another source of uncertainty for businesses managing operating costs.
Yet optimism has its limits. Finance chiefs remain concerned about weak productivity and the UK's competitiveness, with those worries holding steady at 63. These long-standing structural issues continue to challenge businesses despite improving confidence in technology.
The survey highlights an important shift in corporate thinking. AI is no longer viewed simply as a tool for technology teams. It is increasingly becoming a strategic finance asset, helping executives make smarter decisions, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen financial resilience during uncertain economic conditions.
Even with greater confidence in AI, finance leaders are not abandoning caution. Deloitte UK Chief Economist Debapratim De said CFOs continue to prioritize cost reduction and cash control, showing that businesses are embracing innovation while maintaining disciplined financial management.
Deloitte conducted the survey between July 1 and July 13, gathering responses from 58 CFOs across some of the UK's largest companies. The findings suggest that while economic challenges remain, finance leaders increasingly believe AI can help businesses navigate them more effectively.