UK enterprises boost AI investment but demand outpaces funding
A new report has found that most UK enterprises are set to increase their investment in artificial intelligence in 2025, but many decision makers believe that funding still falls short of what is required.
The AI Readiness Report, commissioned by technology distributor Climb Channel Solutions UK, surveyed 600 AI and IT decision makers in large enterprises across the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Germany. The findings underscore not only the shifting investment landscape, but also a growing demand for AI solutions from enterprise customers and a notable opportunity for channel partners and vendors.
AI investment trends
According to the results, 52% of UK enterprises are increasing their AI investment for the coming year compared to 2024. However, 41% of AI and IT decision makers within those organisations stated that this level of investment is not enough, expressing a desire for further funding and resource allocation towards AI initiatives.
This sentiment is linked to a surge in customer expectations around artificial intelligence. The report found that 56% of enterprises are experiencing growing demand from their customers for additional AI-driven services and solutions. This growing requirement is encouraging over half (55%) of enterprises to plan enhancements to their AI initiatives in the next 12 months.
Training and upskilling
The research also explored the state of internal readiness for AI adoption. Progress in training and upskilling staff remains uneven, with just over half of all respondents (53%) reporting that their enterprise staff have received some form of AI training. This highlights ongoing challenges for organisations aiming to deploy AI effectively and capitalise on associated opportunities.
AI implementation and ROI
The report provides data on the average timeframe required for UK enterprises to navigate the full process from initial exploration of AI projects to realisation of return on investment (ROI). On average, respondents indicated it takes just under 12 months (11.97 months) to progress from exploring AI to going live with a solution. Following deployment, organisations report it takes less than 11 months (10.74 months) to see ROI, suggesting that the path to tangible business benefits from AI is relatively short once projects are underway.
Growth opportunities for the channel
Climb's AI Readiness Report was designed to better understand how enterprises are capitalising on the huge opportunities presented by AI - both internally and for their customers. It is clear that momentum continues to build, but there is so much more growth that can be achieved by harnessing AI's capabilities to take businesses forward. This was also an opportunity to highlight the channel opportunity - partners and vendors should be very optimistic about what lies ahead. For us at Climb, this is why we are always looking to engage with new businesses, technologies and partners that support organisations in leveraging AI to drive their businesses forward.
Gerard Brophy, Chief Revenue Officer at Climb Channel Solutions UK, explained that insights from the data point to significant openings for vendors and channel partners.
What really jumped out at us at Climb when we reviewed the data, was the majority of enterprise leaders revealing that there is growing demand among their customers for more AI solutions and services. For partners and vendors, this is a huge growth opportunity. Enterprises must be prepared to meet this rising need, and partners have a clear pathway to expand offerings and support organisations in their AI journeys," added Brophy. This is exactly why Climb launched The Skyward Project earlier this year, a program for channel partners that offers expert-led training through the Climb AI Academy, and access to a powerful platform for scaling real-world AI use cases.
The findings are consistent with reports from the broader technology distribution sector, where there is an increasing recognition that successfully leveraging AI for commercial gain requires both strategic investment and upskilling of staff, as well as support from partners familiar with the complex demands of AI deployments.
Survey context
The AI Readiness Survey was conducted with the aim of assessing organisational maturity around AI, as well as understanding barriers, current investment strategies, and AI's emerging role in areas like cybersecurity and sustainability. The responses indicate an ongoing transition, with enterprises adjusting budgets and operational focus to adapt to increasing customer interest in AI-powered products and services.
The findings from this study suggest that while UK enterprises are boosting their AI budgets, the pace and scale of investment is not yet fully aligned with the expectations of decision makers or end customers. As demand for AI-driven services grows, both technology partners and vendors in the supply chain are expected to play a critical role in supporting organisations' efforts to realise value from their AI initiatives.
