New research from Tech Show London has found almost three quarters of UK business leaders invested more in artificial intelligence and AI-enabled technologies in 2025 compared to 2024. But what should decision-makers keep in mind when implementing AI this year?
What is AI, generative AI and agentic AI?
According to the 2025 EU Artificial Intelligence Act, AI refers to “a machine-based system designed to operate with varying levels of autonomy, (that can) generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations or decisions (influencing) physical or virtual environments”.
Generative AI is able to “generate realistic outputs such as text, audio, code, pictures, videos and music, per the latest UK Parliament Office of Science and Technology AI explainer brief. On the other hand, Agentic AI refers to the latest wave of artificial intelligence, a tool that “doesn’t just generate text or code but takes action”, as per McKinsey & Company’s November 2025 definition.
The global management consultancy notes how “where early large language models (such as OpenAI’s early versions of ChatGPT) could answer questions or summarise information, agentic systems can perform tasks completely independently”. The organisation’s London-based partner Dave Kerr gives the example of a model that answers the question “How much are homes in this area typically worth?” with “They could be worth X, would you like me to find properties online that would be worth that amount?”. If accepted, the system would carry out an internet search and provide the summarised results.
How have UK businesses adopted AI so far?
Speak to any organisation in the UK right now, and you’ll be hard pressed to find one that hasn’t utilised AI in some way in their working or personal lives. But to understand how many adopted AI in some form and what they used it for, Tech Show London commissioned research among 500 business leaders in the UK, and the results were eye-opening.
Tech Show London discovered almost three in four UK businesses (73%) invested more in AI and AI-enabled technologies in 2025 compared to 2024, and spent an average of £75,000 on artificial intelligence last year.
It also found organisations are taking proactive steps to implement modern technology responsibly and effectively and establish clear ownership for implementation. For example, almost one in five (18%) report that a chief technology officer, chief information officer or dedicated technology function now holds primary responsibility for ensuring the trustworthy and ethical usage of artificial intelligence.
To understand how UK businesses have adopted AI when it comes to the workforce, the survey asked leaders how its technology approach has reshaped teams, if at all. Nearly two in five (39%) noted they have retrained employees to adapt to new tools, and 34% have hired or created new roles needing AI and data skillsets.
Almost a quarter (24%) reduced staff headcounts to cut costs and/or drive efficiency as AI enabled workers’ to save time on more manual activities, and 23% of UK businesses reduced junior or entry-level hiring.
While 8% of organisations across the country said they have no workforce AI strategy in place, the findings suggest that many existing strategies struggle to gain traction in practice, especially when it comes to maintaining employee trust (32%).
Ultimately, the insights show a tension between how so many companies have poured money into AI but are split on how best to implement it in practice. Investment in AI in the right ways is crucial for successful growth – if it is not channelled in the most optimal areas organisations could be unnecessarily wasting both time and money.
There’s no denying artificial intelligence has been in a ‘hype’ stage – but now it has moved into hard reality – leaders aren’t just thinking about the technology, they are actively funding it.
The key questions leaders should therefore be asking themselves now are:
- Is AI investment being effectively targeted?
- What areas of the business could benefit from increased automation?
- What parts of the business could AI support – but not replace?
- What tasks must remain in the full remit of human beings?
- What should we prioritise in 2026 to ensure our overall technology strategy delivers value for our key stakeholders?
What should business leaders prioritise next?
Having examined our recent survey results, former Dragon’s Den star, and executive chairman and co-founder of leading digital workforce company Implement.AI Piers Linney remarked that he believed 2026 would be a “make or break year” for getting AI strategy right. Having consulted with decision-makers aplenty in the last year alone, he is right in saying organisations must balance the speed of AI adoption with mindful, structured implementation.
The best thing leaders can do now to prepare for the future is be willing to learn from others. They cannot rest on their laurels. Technology is advancing so fast that it’s not going to be easy to know how best to harness it, so breaking out of your comfort zone is key. Watch how other organisations have successfully deployed AI for a variety of use cases and where they were less successful in others. Listen to the mistakes CTOs have made when initially adopting agentic AI and what they wish they’d done differently at the start. Break out of your echo chamber and be open to discussing the best ways of working with artificial intelligence tools with other industry professionals you don’t normally interact with.
Once you have identified hidden knowledge gaps in your business and are more open to alternative ideas and perspectives, you give yourself more opportunity to effectively problem-solve with modern technology solutions. Conversely, when you bury your head in the sand and go about business as usual, you could be costing your own organisation thousands.
To gain clarity, confidence and credible insight against a backdrop of rapid industry-wide investment and mounting pressure from employees, shareholders, customers and more to get AI usage ‘right’, business leaders need access to practical insight, credible expertise and proven best practice. Of course leaders can find plenty of resources online, but in today’s increasingly attention-short economy and with multiple pressures on business leaders continually pulling them in different directions, blocking out a whole day or two to attend an in-person industry event is one worth its weight in gold.
Events such as Tech Show London are specifically designed to enable leaders to make the most of their precious time – giving them a wealth of ideas, case studies and technology solutions in a variety of accessible formats to help them digest information and think about technology differently. Last year, over 18,000 attendees came together at the ExCeL London to network, learn from keynote speakers and panel discussions, debate fresh ideas and more, and attendees reported coming away feeling more excited and energised for the future.
This year, Tech Show London is back and stands to be our most important edition yet. Business leaders interested in unlocking the true benefits of AI and modern tech by becoming more informed on how to do so would be well-placed to attend.
To learn more about Tech Show London (4-5 March 2026 at the ExCeL London) and register for your free ticket, visit https://www.techshowlondon.co.uk/.
Simon Press
Simon Press is Senior Portfolio Director at CloserStill Media overseeing Tech Show London as well as Tech Show Paris, Frankfurt and more across Europe. Having worked in the industry for over 17 years with a passion for technology business strategy, he is a highly experienced and knowledgeable thought leader in this space.
Methodology
Tech Show London’s research was conducted by Opinion Matters among a sample of 500 decision makers in UK businesses excluding sole traders, aged 24+ between 30.10.25-3.11.25. Opinion matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.
About Tech Show London
Billed as the UK’s most important technology event for business, Tech Show London from CloserStill Media brings together five leading technology events: Cloud & AI Infrastructure, Devops Live, Cloud & Cyber Security Expo, Big Data & AI World and Data Centre World. Over the course of two days, the event will connect circa-18,000 industry leaders and senior decision-makers, including more than 450 exhibitors and partners, with insightful keynotes from prominent public and private sector speakers. 2026 confirmed speakers include Piers Linney MBE, Executive Chairman & Co-Founder, Implement.AI, Professor Hannah Fry, Mathematician, broadcaster and author, Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Lastminute.com, Gov.uk and Lucky Voice Co-Founder and award-winning broadcaster and documentary maker Louis Theroux. To learn more, visit https://www.techshowlondon.co.uk/.
About CloserStill Media
CloserStill Media’s 200+ award-winning brands play a pivotal role in connecting businesses and professionals, driving growth and innovation across key sectors: Business Technology, Learning, HR & Education and Healthcare and Future Transport & Infrastructure. Through impactful networking, transformative knowledge-sharing and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we leverage data-driven insights and cutting-edge digital solutions to propel industries forward, setting new standards and unlocking potential. To learn more, visit https://www.closerstillmedia.com/.
