Experian, the global data and technology company, has published a new report examining UK business leaders’ perspectives on Responsible AI, a framework for designing, building and deploying AI safely across its lifecycle.

The research shows that AI is already delivering strong results, with 89% of respondents reporting a positive impact on performance. However, as adoption continues to grow, 87% believe Responsible AI practices will become a key differentiator within the next two to three years.

In addition, growing customer expectations are driving the demand for Responsible AI. The majority (84%) of respondents say customers increasingly want to know how AI is governed and who is accountable.

While the value of Responsible AI is widely acknowledged, 76% of business leaders admit that putting it into practice remains one of their biggest challenges. The most common barriers include limited technical expertise (32%), difficulty applying principles to real-world use cases (31%) and challenges in balancing innovation and speed with effective governance (30%).

The research also highlights a clear gap in data quality and skills. While 90% agree that high-quality data is essential for Responsible AI, only 43% are confident their data is strong enough to support it. In addition, just 48% of respondents believe their teams are well prepared to drive Responsible AI forward, highlighting the need for stronger data governance, hands-on training, and cross-functional collaboration.

To help businesses overcome these challenges, Experian has developed guidance in the report on how to embed Responsible AI successfully including regularly assessing AI model performance and applying security best practice to every AI use case. Created by Experian’s AI and data science experts, these principles have helped shape how teams across the business approach training, innovation, and Responsible AI deployment.

Christine Foster, General Manager for AI and Automation, Experian UK&I, said: “AI is already delivering real value for businesses and customers. The focus now is on ensuring it drives meaningful outcomes in a responsible way. That means putting the right foundations in place including high-quality data as well as clear accountability, and tools that support AI adoption across its lifecycle. As AI evolves, especially with autonomous systems on the rise, getting this right will be critical to building trust, enabling better business decisions, and staying competitive.”

Sue Daley, Director of Technology and Innovation, techUK added: “As AI continues to transition from pilots to widespread adoption, its critical organisations establish and operationalise clear frameworks for accountability, transparency, and fairness. This report is a vital contribution to the ongoing conversation about achieving Responsible AI. As this research shows, there's still work ahead to ensure organisations have in place the technical foundations and human capabilities to deploy AI responsibly. The seven principles offer an actionable roadmap, providing practical guidance that can support leaders in the building and deployment of AI systems while maintaining customer trust.”