The second edition of the VivaTech barometer of business executives' confidence in tech conducted by OpinionWay in Europe (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy) and North America (United States, Canada) is out.

Business leaders across Europe and North America were surveyed to answer our burning questions about everything from the impact of AI to the importance of human talent. Today, we'll take a look at their feedback and how answers differed across borders and oceans.

Here are five key takeaways from the barometer:

1. Businesses See Tech as the Key to Growth

Being relevant on an international level is a top priority for many companies, who have made it clear that they see technology as the way to do so. 81% of respondents see technology as a driver of international competitiveness for their company.

100% of respondents consider that the adoption of at least one new technology will create tangible benefits for their company such as an increase in productivity (62%) and the reduction of operational costs (48%).

2. AI is leading the tech landscape

With 91% of companies intending to increase their investment in at least one of the technologies in which they have invested, there are many possibilities on the horizon of the tech sphere.

Businesses are putting a special focus on AI, so it's no surprise that 85% of companies surveyed plan to increase their investment in AI over the course of the next 12 months. New AI tools are being created every day that have the potential to change how businesses operate, and investment decisions now could be the key to who gets ahead.

AI stands out as the technology most likely to have an impact on business activity (65%), far ahead of cybersecurity (41%) and cloud computing (39%).

3. Businesses are reliant on more than just tech to remain competitive.

Business leaders' responses bring to life the importance of non-technical aspects in order to succeed in the tech ecosystem.

According to all the managers surveyed, the main factors cited to ensure the technological competitiveness of their companies are:

• Highly qualified talent (45%)

• Continued investment in R&D (44%)

• A strong reputation and international recognition (43%)

On the flip side, respondents are worried about having a lack of qualified personnel and a resistance to change as obstacles, showing the persistence and importance of "the human factor."

4. Europe is divided in terms of tech competitiveness

While the U.S is the most confident in terms of international competitiveness, with 92% of CEOs estimating their country to be at the forefront, the U.K is not far behind at 81%.

France (76%) and Germany (76%) also feel that they are keeping up in the international playing field, followed by Spain (70%).

However, respondents from Italy feel less confident, with only 64% of Italian CEOs judging their businesses to be competitive. Italy also perceives itself lagging in terms of adoption of technological innovation (44%).

This calls into question why there is incoherence across Europe and what can be done to prevent countries from falling behind.

5. Businesses recognize concerns related to new technologies.

77% of respondents are concerned about privacy breach issues, proliferation of fake news, and the difficulty of identifying it. While technology can improve access to information, it also allows for misinformation, which highlights the importance of remaining diligent and discerning online. To combat this concern, 9 out of 10 companies have already put in place measures to inform and reassure their employees, clients, or service providers.

The negative environmental impact of tech is also high on everyone's radar, with 70% of respondents reporting concern, which could be great news for GreenTech and sustainable solutions.

Although technology brings risks and uncertainties, it is also considered by 90% of respondents as a solution to the major challenges of our time. With proper use, technology has the power to address issues in the education system, facilitate access to information, fight against disinformation, and promote diversity and inclusion.

Want to take a closer look at the report? Check out the full press release from VivaTech.