European financial institutions are under growing pressure to adopt artificial intelligence, with senior executives increasingly viewing the technology as a competitive necessity rather than an optional innovation. According to a new survey published by Bloomberg, three-quarters of finance leaders in Europe fear that failure to keep pace with AI could damage profitability or even make their organisations obsolete.
The findings underline how quickly AI has moved from experimentation to strategic priority across banking, asset management, and market infrastructure. While early discussions around AI often focused on efficiency gains, the survey suggests competitive pressure is now the dominant driver, with executives worried about falling behind peers rather than missing incremental cost savings.
Bloomberg’s survey, based on responses from more than 300 senior decision-makers, found that 75 percent see the main risk of lagging in AI adoption as a loss of profitability or relevance. Nearly half said their organisations could lose market share if competitors deploy AI more effectively, highlighting a widening perception gap between early adopters and those still moving cautiously.
Scepticism about AI appears limited. Only six percent of respondents said they believe the technology is overhyped, suggesting most leaders now accept AI as a durable shift in how financial services are delivered and managed. At the same time, confidence levels remain measured. Bloomberg notes that 37 percent of respondents see themselves as moving broadly in line with the industry, rather than leading on AI strategy.
From automation to transformation
The survey also explored expectations around so-called agentic AI, systems designed not just to analyse data or generate text, but to take actions and execute multi-step tasks. Views here were split. Around 46 percent of respondents expect agentic AI to deliver incremental automation over the next three years, improving existing workflows rather than replacing them outright. A further 37 percent anticipate a more far-reaching transformation, with AI reshaping decision-making and operational structures across firms.
Despite the ambitious outlook, many institutions are still in the early stages of deployment. Only 40 percent of respondents said they are already seeing measurable business benefits from AI initiatives. Negative outcomes remain rare, with just one percent reporting adverse effects, pointing to a sector that is experimenting carefully rather than recklessly.
For European fintech firms and banks, the findings carry important implications. As AI becomes embedded in trading, risk management, compliance, and customer service, firms that delay investment may struggle to compete with faster-moving rivals. At the same time, the survey suggests a cautious consensus is emerging around gradual integration rather than wholesale disruption.
Bloomberg surveyed live audience polling at its events across Europe between September and November 2025, including Future of Finance conferences in Frankfurt, Milan, Luxembourg, and Madrid, as well as an investment management summit in London. While not a comprehensive market census, the results offer a clear signal of executive sentiment at a time when AI is rapidly reshaping Europe’s financial landscape.