After years of investing, hiring talent, and launching pilots in artificial intelligence, CEOs are now seeking tangible returns from the technology. But realizing its full value remains difficult. Even with the widespread implementation of AI programs across industries, only 26% of companies have developed the necessary set of capabilities to move beyond proofs of concept and generate tangible value, according to new research by Boston Consulting Group.
The report, titled Where’s the Value in AI?, is based on a comprehensive survey of 1,000 CxOs and senior executives from over 20 sectors, spanning 59 countries in Asia, Europe, and North America, and covering ten major industries. Participants were asked to assess their companies’ AI maturity in 30 key enterprise capabilities.
While just 4% of companies have developed cutting-edge AI capabilities across functions and consistently generate significant value, an additional 22% have implemented an AI strategy, built advanced capabilities, and are beginning to realize substantial gains. The report designates these companies as leaders. Seventy-four percent of companies have yet to show tangible value from their use of AI.
“India’s swift adoption of AI is redefining its competitive edge globally, with 30% of Indian companies having maximized AI’s value potential—surpassing the global average of 26%. Indian leaders prioritize fewer, high-impact AI initiatives, scaling these efforts 1.7 times more effectively than others, and achieving a remarkable 2.1x ROI compared to global peers. With 100% of companies actively experimenting with AI, India stands out for its readiness to harness AI’s potential.
Moreover, the maturity of India’s AI leaders spans both traditional and digital sectors, signalling a broad-based adoption that’s driving value beyond typical tech-driven industries. As India’s AI leaders go beyond productivity to reshape and invent new business models, India is poised to lead not only in AI adoption but in generating substantial, and measurable value”, said Saibal Chakraborty, India Leader, Technology and Digital Advantage Practice, BCG
“AI leaders are raising the bar with more ambitious goals,” said Nicolas de Bellefonds, a BCG senior partner, managing director, and coauthor of the report. “They target meaningful outcomes on cost and topline and prioritize core function transformation over diffuse productivity gains.”