UK business leaders say they're forced to act at "AI speed"
More than nine in ten UK business leaders (92%) say the speed of senior decision making has accelerated over the past three years, with many struggling with the growing pressure to act instantly. That's according to new research from data streaming pioneer Confluent.
The survey of 200 UK CEOs, MDs, and C-level executives reveals that AI is driving both faster decisions and higher expectations in the boardroom. Six in ten (60%) say they have less time to make decisions than they did a year ago, while 88% report that major business changes are happening faster than ever.
AI is a key driver behind this increase in speed. Almost nine in ten (88%) say AI enables them to manage the rate of change and make faster calls. However, 59% believe colleagues' use of AI has raised expectations for fast or even instant decisions, increasing the pressure to operate at "AI speed".
However, greater speed isn't translating into greater confidence. Nearly two-thirds (61%) say they struggle to capitalise on fast moving insights or trends, and 91% would feel more confident in their decisions if they had access to real time insights. As a result, 67% are planning investment in real time dashboards for senior leaders.
Commenting on the research, Richard Jones, VP Northern Europe at Confluent, said, "In previous generations, you could expect a major technological milestone or a significant geopolitical shift to happen every few years. These days, from global health scares to government tariffs, it's every few weeks.
"Business leaders need a level of agility and awareness that lets them react effectively in that climate — still based on their experience and instinct, but with a to-the-second understanding of the situations they face.
"That makes access to real-time data non-negotiable. The most effective leaders can combine their unique expertise with real-world context to deliver the best possible result for both themselves and the business as a whole."
To find out more about real-time data and business decision making, download the Confluent report here.