Seventy-four percent of global leaders continue to prioritize artificial intelligence (AI) investments despite ongoing economic uncertainty, according to recent research from KPMG. The study indicates that investment in AI alone does not guarantee a return on investment (ROI).
Currently, 64% of organizations report that AI is providing meaningful business value, yet 75% express concerns regarding data security and privacy. Many companies are transitioning from generative AI to agentic AI, with 32% deploying them at scale and 27% utilizing multiple AI agents. This evolution highlights the need for organizations to learn from past AI investments and address persistent challenges in the field.
Only 20% of early-stage firms feel confident in managing AI risks, while this confidence rises to nearly 50% among companies identified as AI leaders. Presently, just 11% of organizations achieve ‘AI leader’ status, a crucial designation since 82% of these leaders perceive significant value from AI compared to 62% of non-leaders. KPMG suggests companies must adopt a transformational view of AI, rather than considering it an auxiliary enhancement.
AI leaders are bolstering their capabilities by hiring for AI-specific roles, facilitating training programs, and integrating human collaboration with AI agents. Data shows organizations investing in workforce development are nearly four times more likely to realize the value of AI.
However, firms face ongoing challenges related to data quality, governance, compliance, security, and privacy. Addressing these foundational issues early is essential for transforming organizational operations effectively. “There is no agentic future without trust and no trust without governance that keeps pace,” stated Steve Chase, Global Head of AI and Digital Innovation. He emphasized sustained investment in human resources, training, and change management as vital for enabling organizations to scale AI responsibly.
