By Alice Chambers |
UK organisations are significantly overestimating how prepared they are to secure AI, according to new research from ANS, which provides solutions for Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, Security, and more, and was named Microsoft UK Partner of the Year 2025.
The AI Readiness Secured survey reveals a clear gap between confidence and action. While 85 per cent of organisations believe they have invested enough to support safe AI adoption, fewer are taking the practical steps needed to secure AI systems in reality. Less than half of respondents (42 per cent) said security is embedded into their AI projects and only 37 per cent treat it as a priority during implementation.
The findings also highlight a lack of forward-looking investment, with 39 per cent of IT decision-makers plan to invest in securing AI models and algorithm training over the next three years. Fewer firms (34 per cent) intend to upskill employees on the secure and responsible use of AI – despite staff often being one of the most common entry points for cyber attackers.
“AI is transforming how organisations operate, but it also introduces entirely new attack surfaces and vulnerabilities,” said Kyle Hill, chief technology officer at ANS. “Many businesses assume their existing cybersecurity measures automatically extend to AI, but that simply isn’t the case. This overconfidence is creating a false sense of security. Without targeted investment in areas like model security, governance frameworks and employee training, organisations risk leaving their AI systems exposed to misuse, manipulation and emerging threats.”