Despite early setbacks, CEOs remain committed to AI, focusing on strategic leadership, measurable ROI, and workforce transformation to turn ambition into value.
Despite all the talk about how AI has challenged and sometimes befuddled companies in pursuit of this latest round of digital transformation, it seems organizations are still committed. At least, that’s where reports are leading. In IBM’s recent CEO Study, leaders are committed to implementing AI solutions in spite of difficulties.
Building an intelligent operations process
The study talked to 2000 CEOs around the world, finding that most of them expect AI investments to more than double over the next couple of years. Another strong majority is already implementing AI agents. They’re open about how important these investments are, and many believe that their organization’s proprietary data will enable the full value of GenAI.
But these investments aren’t without challenges. Companies have struggled to leverage data, even if they have it, and the breakneck pace of adoption seems to have led to fragmented technology rather than the seamless ecosystems CEOs hoped for. They’re balancing the pressure of creating value in the short term to justify these budgets with knowing that long-term innovation requires some patience.
See also: How AI Is Forcing an IT Infrastructure Rethink
Competing pressures cause growing pains
Only 25% of AI initiatives have delivered the expected ROI so far, and just 16% have scaled across the enterprise. Yet most CEOs remain committed. Two-thirds are now focusing on use cases with clearer ROI, and nearly 70% say they have defined metrics to measure innovation outcomes.
That pressure to produce results is real, but so is the need to build for the long term. CEOs admit they’re investing in technologies before fully understanding their value, driven by fear of falling behind. However, few in the study endorse the controversial “fast and wrong” approach; most prefer to move with speed and precision.
To do that, organizations are investing not just in tools but in talent and leadership. Nearly 70% of CEOs say success depends on having empowered strategic leaders, while 67% point to the need for specialized expertise in the right roles. Over half are hiring for AI roles that didn’t exist a year ago, and a third of the workforce is expected to need retraining within the next three years.
In the end, technology won’t drive transformation on its own. Strategic clarity, operational agility, and a skilled workforce will determine whether companies extract lasting value from AI or simply chase the next hype cycle.
