IT leaders are placing increasing trust in AI agents
AI is delivering real results. The level of trust IT leaders place in AI agents is rising fast, and for good reason. With advancements in generative AI, companies are seeing these systems take on complex tasks, make decisions, and execute processes with the same—or even better—precision than humans. This is happening now.
The shift is clear. Organizations want reliability, efficiency, and speed. AI agents deliver all three. They can analyze massive datasets in seconds, operate without fatigue, and continuously improve. That’s why 82% of UK IT leaders already trust AI agents as much as people, and 37% trust them more. Confidence in AI is a calculated response to advancements in autonomous decision-making and task execution.
What does this mean for businesses? It means scaling operations faster, reducing errors, and unlocking entirely new levels of efficiency. IT leaders understand this, and 92% expect AI agents to drive measurable business impact within the next 12 to 18 months. The technology has reached a threshold where it’s becoming indispensable, not just helpful.
Jeremiah Stone, Chief Technology Officer at SnapLogic, puts it bluntly: Generative AI is evolving at a rapid pace, and the ability to build AI agents that can autonomously reason and execute tasks is a turning point for enterprise operations. This is about AI becoming a trusted force in decision-making. Businesses that don’t adapt will fall behind. Those that do will redefine what’s possible.
Enterprises are ramping up investments in AI agent technologies
Companies worldwide are increasing their investment in AI agents, recognizing their potential to drive efficiency, improve accuracy, and scale operations. AI is becoming an operational necessity. Businesses that deploy AI effectively will see stronger productivity and lower operational costs. The financial commitment reflects this reality.
However, while global enterprises are pushing forward aggressively, UK firms are showing more caution in their spending. SnapLogic’s research shows that 72% of UK IT leaders plan to invest over GBP £1,000,000 in AI agents, but their average planned investment of GBP £1,803,562 falls below the cross-market average of GBP £2,084,775.51. Meanwhile, Australian enterprises are preparing to invest approximately GBP £2,502,882. If this trend continues, UK companies may find themselves lagging as other markets accelerate AI adoption.
This gap in investment could slow innovation and limit long-term competitiveness. AI is advancing rapidly, and organizations that hesitate risk falling behind on automation, data processing, and strategic decision-making capabilities. A cautious approach has its merits, but delaying investment in AI infrastructure could lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
For executives and decision-makers, the message is clear: AI is not something to experiment with at the margins—it should be integrated deeply into business operations. The companies making significant investments now will set the industry standard. Waiting too long means playing catch-up in a world where AI-driven efficiency and intelligence are rewriting what’s possible in business.
Data security, legacy systems, and inadequate workforce understanding
AI is advancing fast, but adoption isn’t without its challenges. While businesses see significant potential in AI agents, many still struggle with security concerns, outdated technology, and skills gaps within their teams. These barriers are slowing down adoption, preventing organizations from fully leveraging AI’s capabilities.
Security remains the biggest roadblock. According to SnapLogic’s research, 63% of IT decision-makers cite data security and privacy as major concerns. AI systems process massive amounts of sensitive business data, and any vulnerability can pose serious risks. Companies need strong governance frameworks to ensure their AI deployments are both secure and compliant with regulations.
Beyond security, legacy technology is another sticking point. Many enterprises operate with outdated systems that lack the flexibility to integrate AI smoothly. With 44% of IT leaders reporting legacy systems as a challenge, modernizing infrastructure must be a priority. Without the right foundation, even the most advanced AI solutions will struggle to deliver value.
Employee understanding of AI is also a factor. About 17% of IT leaders say a lack of workforce knowledge is slowing adoption. AI adoption requires internal alignment. Training teams to work alongside AI, interpret AI-driven insights, and trust AI-powered decision-making is just as critical as the technology itself.
Additionally, concerns about AI “hallucinations” remain, with 12% of IT leaders raising the issue. AI systems can generate inaccurate or misleading outputs, which creates hesitation in industries where precision is non-negotiable. Mitigating this risk requires continuous model refinement, robust validation processes, and human oversight where necessary.
For executives, the lesson is clear. AI adoption requires a broad strategy that addresses security, integration, and workforce readiness. Companies that proactively eliminate these barriers will maximize AI’s impact, while those that hesitate will struggle to keep up with AI-driven transformation.
AI agents are projected to substantially boost operational efficiency
AI is fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate. One of the most immediate benefits is the reduction of time spent on manual AI development and management. Today, IT teams allocate significant hours every week to maintaining AI technologies. Deploying AI agents will streamline these efforts and free up resources for more strategic initiatives.
The numbers speak for themselves. IT teams currently spend an average of 15 hours per week managing AI technologies. With AI agents in place, businesses expect to save around 19 hours per week. That’s a significant shift, allowing highly skilled employees to focus on higher-value tasks that drive business growth. This is why AI agent deployment is a major priority, with 76% of IT leaders planning implementation within the next year.
Reducing manual intervention directly impacts agility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. AI agents operate continuously, optimizing decision-making and execution without the limitations of human availability. As AI takes on repetitive and complex functions, organizations can scale operations faster while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
For executives, this is an operational shift that requires action. Businesses that fully integrate AI agents will increase productivity beyond what traditional IT teams can achieve alone. Those that delay adoption will continue to operate with higher costs, slower processes, and unnecessary inefficiencies. The next phase of AI is optimization at a level that wasn’t possible before.
SnapLogic is actively facilitating the adoption of AI agents
AI adoption requires the right infrastructure. SnapLogic is providing enterprises with the tools they need to design, deploy, and integrate AI agents at scale. Businesses that want to move fast and extract real value from AI need seamless, adaptable solutions. That’s exactly what SnapLogic is offering.
One key enabler is SnapLogic’s unified platform, which allows companies to build AI agents that work across diverse systems without extensive custom development. AI integration is one of the biggest hurdles for enterprises, especially those dealing with legacy infrastructure. SnapLogic’s approach eliminates these barriers by ensuring AI agents can connect with both existing and emerging technologies.
The company’s AgentCreator tool is another critical component. It equips organizations with a scalable framework for AI-driven automation, making it easier to deploy AI agents that can perform complex, business-critical operations. This is more than simple automation—it’s about enabling AI to function as an intelligent operator within enterprise workflows.
Jeremiah Stone, Chief Technology Officer at SnapLogic, emphasizes the importance of overcoming integration challenges. He highlights that while AI agents have transformative potential, businesses will only realize that value if they can successfully integrate these technologies into their existing systems. Bridging this gap is essential for ensuring AI adoption translates into measurable business impact.
For executives, the decision is clear: AI is moving fast, and companies need to build strong foundations for adoption. The organizations that approach AI with a structured, integrated strategy will lead in efficiency and innovation. The ones that hesitate will struggle with fragmented, underutilized AI capabilities. Businesses need aligned technology ecosystems, and SnapLogic is positioning itself as a key player in making that possible.
Key executive takeaways
- AI trust is growing among IT leaders: 82% of UK IT leaders trust AI agents as much or more than humans, with 37% placing greater trust in AI. Companies should accelerate AI adoption to leverage automation, efficiency, and scalable decision-making.
- Global AI investment is rising, but UK firms lag behind: While enterprises are committing substantial funds to AI, UK investments are lower than global averages. Leaders should evaluate AI spending to remain competitive as AI adoption scales worldwide.
- Security, legacy systems, and workforce gaps slow AI adoption: 63% of IT leaders cite data security as a top concern, while 44% struggle with legacy infrastructure. Organizations must strengthen AI governance, modernize IT systems, and invest in workforce AI training to maximize adoption.
- AI agents will significantly improve operational efficiency: AI deployment is expected to save IT teams an average of 19 hours per week. Executives should prioritize AI integration to maximize productivity, reduce manual work, and optimize enterprise operations.
- SnapLogic is enabling seamless AI adoption: The company’s platform simplifies AI integration, making AI agents more accessible across enterprise systems. Decision-makers should explore adaptable AI solutions like SnapLogic to enhance scalability and business impact.
