A new IBM CEO study has revealed that executives are ramping up artificial intelligence (AI) adoption at unprecedented rates, with expectations of double the ROI growth within two years. However, the journey remains fraught with technological fragmentation and talent shortages.
AI Investment Accelerates but ROI Lags
CEOs globally are fast-tracking AI deployment across operations, despite the reality that only 25% of initiatives to date have delivered the expected ROI. According to the IBM CEO study, 61% of respondents are already adopting AI agents, and 85% expect scaled AI initiatives to yield positive ROI by 2027.
IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn emphasized the need for bold leadership, stating that companies not leveraging enterprise data and AI are “making a conscious decision not to compete.” Still, only 16% of surveyed companies have successfully scaled AI enterprise-wide, highlighting a critical gap between ambition and execution.
Disconnected Tech and Data Silos Slow Progress
A major challenge cited in the report is fragmented technology architecture. Half of the CEOs admitted their organizations are struggling with disconnected systems due to rapid, uncoordinated AI investment. This fragmentation is directly impeding innovation and ROI delivery.
Additionally, 68% of CEOs identified integrated, enterprise-wide data architecture as vital for cross-functional collaboration, while 72% agreed that proprietary organizational data is the key to unlocking AI’s full value. Yet, building this unified data environment remains a top roadblock.
Generative AI Demands New Talent and Risk Strategy
Although CEOs are eager to adopt generative AI, only 52% are seeing returns beyond cost-cutting. The study shows that 64% are investing in AI to avoid falling behind—even without fully understanding its value. But only 37% believe it’s better to be “fast and wrong” than “right and slow,” reflecting a cautious approach.
Talent also emerged as a priority. Over 50% of respondents are hiring for AI-related roles that didn’t exist just a year ago. Meanwhile, 31% of the workforce is expected to need reskilling within the next three years, and 65% of companies plan to use automation to bridge skills gaps.
CEOs Bet Big on AI, but the Stakes Are Rising
The 2025 IBM CEO study paints a clear picture: executives are betting on AI to transform their organizations—but the path is anything but smooth. From tech disarray and organizational silos to unmet ROI expectations and a talent crunch, CEOs face serious obstacles.
Yet the drive remains strong. By 2027, nearly 9 in 10 expect their AI investments to yield meaningful returns—making AI not just a tool, but a defining factor in future business success.
About The Author
