Deloitte Survey Finds Rising AI Optimism Among UK CFOs

More than half of Chief Financial Officers (CFO) in the UK said they have become more positive about the impact of AI on productivity over the past year, a survey by Deloitte showed. The report, covering the fourth quarter of 2025, found that 59% of CFOs were more optimistic, compared with 39% in the same period of 2024.

Deloitte surveyed 55 CFOs, including executives from FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies. The survey showed that 96% of CFOs expect investment in digital technology and assets to increase over the next five years. Business sentiment also improved, with 15% of CFOs saying the fourth quarter of 2025 was a time to take more risk on balance sheets. Capital expenditure plans gained attention, while the share of CFOs citing high external uncertainty fell from the previous quarter, the survey found.