IBM survey: 2000 global CEOs expect AI investments to double

Published: 2025-05-07 03:01:15 ET IBM

Published on 05/07/2025 at 03:01

Key takeaways

Business leaders and artificial intelligence

Business leaders are determined to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions within their organizations, despite the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving technology. In a recent global survey conducted by IBM's Institute for Business Value, 2,000 CEOs were surveyed and found that they expect to more than double the growth of AI investments over the next two years. Notably, 61 percent of respondents confirmed that they are actively adopting and preparing for large-scale implementation of AI agents.

The role of data architecture

The survey highlights the critical role of an integrated data architecture in enabling cross-functional collaboration, identified as essential by 68 percent of CEOs. In addition, 72 percent see their organization's own data as key to unlocking the potential of generative AI. However, the survey also suggests that organizations may struggle to establish an effective data environment. Half of respondents acknowledge that recent rapid investments have resulted in disconnected and fragmented technology systems.

AI initiatives struggle with scaling and returns

CEOs struggle with the pressure to balance short-term return on investment (ROI) with long-term innovation when it comes to AI adoption. The survey found that only 25 percent of AI initiatives have achieved expected ROI in recent years, and only 16 percent have scaled enterprise-wide. To accelerate progress, two-thirds of CEOs say their organizations are prioritizing AI use cases based on ROI, with 68 percent reporting clear metrics for effectively measuring innovation ROI.

Addressing barriers to innovation

The survey further highlights the importance of strategic leadership and specialized talent to realize the value of AI. Nearly 70 percent of CEOs believe the success of their organization depends on a diverse group of leaders with deep strategic insight and decision-making authority. Similarly, 67 percent emphasize the importance of having the right expertise in the right roles with the right incentives for differentiation.

Key barriers to innovation

CEOs recognize the immense potential of AI, but also see significant barriers to innovation within their organizations. These include a lack of cross-functional collaboration, aversion to risk and disruption, and insufficient expertise and knowledge. The CEOs surveyed recognize the need to bridge skill gaps and expect that about one-third of the workforce will need to be retrained or retrained in the next three years. Moreover, 65 percent plan to use automation to fill these gaps. The rapid evolution of AI is reflected in the fact that 54 percent of CEO respondents are hiring for positions directly related to AI that did not exist a year ago.

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