A recent global study by the IBM Institute for Business Value has revealed that CEOs are committed to advancing AI solutions within their organizations despite facing challenges from rapid technology adoption. The study surveyed 2,000 CEOs worldwide and found that executives expect AI investment growth rates to more than double in the next two years, with 61% actively adopting AI agents today and preparing for large-scale implementation.
The research highlighted the importance of integrated enterprise-wide data architecture, with 68% of CEOs identifying it as critical for cross-functional collaboration. Additionally, 72% view proprietary data as key to unlocking generative AI’s value. However, many organizations struggle with disconnected technology due to recent investment paces.
IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn emphasized the need for leaders to embrace risk as an opportunity, stating that “when the business environment is uncertain, using AI and your enterprise data to identify where you have leverage is a competitive advantage.”
Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting, noted that “CEOs are balancing the pressures of short-term ROI and investing in long-term innovation when it comes to adopting AI.” He added that organizations continuing to innovate during uncertainty will emerge stronger.
The study found only 25% of AI initiatives delivered expected ROI recently, with just 16% scaling enterprise-wide. To accelerate progress, 65% of CEOs focus on ROI-based AI use cases. While over half report realizing value beyond cost reduction from generative AI investments, many struggle with funding balance between operations and innovation.
By 2027, most surveyed CEOs expect positive ROI from scaled AI efficiency and growth investments. Strategic leadership and specialized talent are seen as essential for unlocking AI value amid expertise gaps. A significant portion of the workforce will require retraining or reskilling over the next three years.
The full study can be accessed at: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/ceo
