Language continues to pose a significant challenge for UK businesses pursuing international growth, despite English remaining the dominant global business language. New data from language AI company DeepL reveals that UK executives report more issues related to language barriers than their peers in Germany, France, the Netherlands or the US.
According to DeepL’s whitepaper, The language revolution: how AI improves the way businesses communicate, 44% of UK executives cite international expansion as the primary difficulty caused by language differences. This figure is higher than those reported in Germany (41%), the US (37%), the Netherlands (30%) and France (24%).
The whitepaper examines how businesses across global markets are adopting AI-driven language solutions, with a particular focus on the role of Language AI in overcoming communication obstacles. It also highlights the operational and financial impact of miscommunication and the increasing use of AI tools to support multilingual communication strategies in complex industries.
David Parry-Jones, Chief Revenue Officer at DeepL, said: “While English remains the dominant language of international business, fluency is limited to just 20% of the global population. This report highlights a crucial reality: relying solely on English for external communications can restrict international growth for UK companies. In response, UK businesses are increasingly embracing AI to overcome these barriers. Our research shows that 72% plan to integrate AI into daily operations, with 25% specifically aiming to use it for tasks like translation by 2025.”
AI-Driven Translation Tools Support Global Communication
Alongside international expansion challenges, UK firms report difficulties serving customers in other markets, with 28% identifying this as a key concern linked to language limitations. Internal communication is also affected, with 22% of UK organisations stating that language barriers hinder workplace collaboration.
The report notes a growing trend in UK firms investing in AI tools for translation and language-related tasks. Among UK executives planning to adopt AI this year, the most common use case is deploying AI for specific functions such as translation. This reflects an increased recognition that communication, both external and internal, is a critical factor in market expansion and operational efficiency.
Language AI technologies are enabling companies to manage communication more effectively by combining automated tools with human oversight. DeepL’s research found that 32% of businesses are using Language AI alongside external translation agencies, while 31% are supporting in-house translation teams with AI. A further 26% are embedding AI into key products to enhance multilingual accessibility.
The report also found that sectors operating in high-stakes or highly regulated environments, such as law and manufacturing, are among those turning to Language AI solutions. These tools help maintain clarity and compliance while managing cross-cultural and multilingual communication needs.
Internal Communication Pressures Grow Across Europe
While UK firms highlight language barriers as a challenge to external growth, the report also indicates rising concern about internal communication in European markets. The Netherlands (31%) and France (25%) report the greatest pressure to improve collaboration between multilingual teams. DeepL notes that this pressure reflects how language impacts both customer-facing operations and internal workflow efficiency.
These findings align with a separate 2024 Forbes study, which reported that half of all knowledge workers face ongoing challenges due to poor communication within organisations. DeepL suggests that companies looking to improve productivity and collaboration must treat language as a strategic consideration, supported by targeted investment in AI solutions.
