London, UK, 16 December 2025 – Expleo’s November edition of the AI Pulse reveals a growing divide in attitudes towards AI regulation, with UK organisations remaining confident that its regulation will support the safe and ethical use of AI, while leaders in France and Germany show more caution, as they prepare for one of the world’s strictest AI frameworks under the EU AI Act.
The Expleo AI Pulse, commissioned by the global engineering, technology and consultancy services provider, gauges business sentiment towards AI, ranging from 0 (very worried) to 100 (very confident).
The overall sentiment score in the UK for November settled at 70, a two-point dip on last month, with the most revealing insights centred on levels of trust in AI governance. Almost two-thirds of UK respondents (62%) said that current regulations, including the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, will support ethical AI use. In contrast, fewer than half of business leaders in France (46%) and Germany (42%) felt the same about regulation in the EU.
Jeff Hoyle, EVP and MD UK & NA at Expleo, said: “The November sentiment tracker shows that UK organisations are approaching AI regulation with a curious and confident mindset. Business leaders recognise the clarity and guidance that a principles-based approach gives them, opening the way for responsible AI-led innovation.
“We’re starting to see UK businesses develop a deep understanding of how to operate within the governance frameworks and using it to supports ethical, value-driven adoption.”
Sentiment in the UK contrasts with France and Germany, where the implementation phase of the EU AI Act is underway. Rather than feeling reassured by the new rules, many businesses in these markets appear unsettled by the level of prescription and the practical demands the legislation introduces.
UK organisations, operating under a more adaptable, principles-led framework, express greater confidence that regulation will enable ethical and responsible AI, rather than limit their ability to innovate.
Hoyle commented: “The caution we are seeing in France and Germany suggests that prescriptive, complex regulation can create uncertainty at exactly the moment organisations need confidence to move forward.
“As the EU AI Act enters its implementation phase, many leaders are unsure how the practical demands will translate at operational level. The opportunity now is for all markets to ensure regulation acts as an enabler. With the right support, businesses can embrace AI with both ambition and assurance and that balance will be crucial as AI becomes central to how industries operate.”
The November findings also highlight broader sentiment patterns across the UK market. More than three quarters of business leaders said they are excited about the opportunities AI brings (79%), while around one in seven see AI primarily as a risk (14%). Just over half reported concerns about AI-driven cybersecurity threats (54%), indicating that while risks remain top of mind, organisations may feel increasingly able to manage or mitigate them.
In comparison, levels of excitement around AI were lower in France (68%) and Germany (73%). Leaders in both markets are also more cautious overall, with around one in seven in France (14%) and a similar share in Germany (14%) believing that AI is primarily a risk. Cybersecurity concerns also remained elevated, with just over half of French leaders (52%) and almost half of German leaders (47%) worried about AI-related vulnerabilities.
Notes to Editors
- The Expleo AI Pulse is conducted monthly
- It takes in the views of 600 business leaders across UK, France and Germany
- The UK press release is based primarily on the views of 200 UK business leaders
- From time to time, we may compare the results in the UK with those in France and Germany
- AI Pulse is carried out on behalf of Expleo by award-winning insights agency, Opinium
- https://expleo.com/global/en/insights/campaigns/the-expleo-ai-pulse
Media contact
Gwen Allen – gwen.allen@expleogroup.com
