– 85% of companies report ROI from AI programs meeting or exceeding expectations
– Survey of over 1,000 executives globally reveals trends and roadblocks in AI adoption
– Tech and Financial Services Outpace Other Sectors in AI Readiness
Global consulting firm Protiviti released the findings of its inaugural AI Pulse Survey 2025, offering one of the most comprehensive insights into the global state of AI adoption, investment outcomes, and organizational readiness.
The survey of over 1,000 executives coming from diverse job functions such as IT, operations, finance, and compliance, including 176 C-suite executives globally has revealed a striking maturity gap: only eight per cent of organizations have reached the “Transformation” stage of AI adoption where AI drives innovation, competitive advantage, and industry disruption. Those surveyed came from diverse job functions such as IT, operations, finance, and compliance.
The survey findings also reveal a clear gap between strategic intent and on-ground execution. Despite the growing momentum and investment, 51 per cent of organisations remain in the earliest stages of AI maturity, still piloting isolated initiatives or evaluating potential use cases, with limited progress toward scaling.
However, the promise of AI is becoming tangible. An overwhelming 85 per cent of respondents say their AI investments are meeting or exceeding expectations, with nearly one in four companies reporting significantly better-than-expected returns. Surprisingly, while 96 per cent of advanced-stage organisations say AI has met or exceeded expectations, 36 per cent of organisations in early stages claim that AI has not delivered expected value.
“Our inaugural survey demonstrates that AI success is a complex evolution for businesses worldwide, requiring strategy, patience, and a willingness to rethink the fundamentals of business,” said Sandeep Gupta, Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for India. “Success comes to those who stay agile, align AI initiatives with business outcomes, and continuously upskill teams to bridge the strategy-execution gap.”
The survey also reveals the technology and BFSI sectors lead in AI maturity worldwide, with 52 per cent of technology businesses in advanced stages (Stage 4 or 5) of AI maturity. One in four financial services firms report that AI has delivered ROI far beyond initial expectations. By comparison, the manufacturing sector continues to lag with 37 per cent of organizations still in the early exploration phase, reflecting varied levels of AI maturity across sectors.
“The findings reveal that there is a clear reward for those who move past AI experimentation,” said Dhrubabrata Ghosh Dastidar, Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for India.“The early promise of AI will remain unfulfilled unless companies operationalize it at scale.”
A key barrier to mature AI adoption as highlighted by respondents is the challenge of integrating AI into legacy systems, cited by nearly 30 per cent respondents as their top hurdle. For businesses in the early stages of AI maturity, identifying the right use cases remains a struggle, while more mature adopters are now grappling with data availability and governance.
As companies evolve in their AI journey, so do their metrics for success. Early adopters primarily measure impact through productivity gains and cost savings. However, mature organisations begin to prioritise customer satisfaction, new revenue generation, and innovation enablement.
To accelerate business outcomes from AI, Protiviti urges organisations to adopt a strategic, outcome-driven approach, prioritising high-impact use cases that align with core business objectives and are scalable across functions. The report highlights the importance of investing in robust data foundations, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and integrating AI directly into enterprise workflows, moving beyond isolated pilots to enterprise-wide transformation.
The AI Pulse Survey 2025 marks Protiviti’s inaugural global benchmark study on AI maturity, success metrics, and roadblocks. It offers a practical framework for companies to evaluate where they stand in their AI journey and outlines the critical capabilities needed to scale adoption sustainably and deliver measurable value.