AI in Business: 13% Report Real ROI According to Gartner

Major returns related to AI remain the exception in organizations, according to a Gartner survey. Amid pressure to save, rising infrastructure costs, and methods still needing refinement, leaders like the CEO of Bloomberg are betting on the long term, while 75% of CEOs plan to increase their technology budgets.

Leaders Invest Despite Uncertainty Over Returns

Vlad Kliatchko, CEO of Bloomberg, believes it is too early to assess the economic return of AI. He notes that Bloomberg is investing in this technology because the company sees the timing as right. Furthermore, according to Gartner, 75% of CEOs expect to increase their technology spending, even though returns remain uncertain.

Limited ROI and Conflicting Cost Pressures

According to a study conducted by Gartner among 2,002 IT leaders and other technology decision-makers, only 13% of respondents report having seen significant or transformative benefits from AI. Additionally, 58% of IT leaders are tasked with generating savings through AI, but 51% anticipate that AI will lead to an increase in the overall operating costs of their technology infrastructure. Moreover, 44% of CEOs report struggling to prove the financial returns of AI to their stakeholders. As a result, the majority of companies are unable to convert their AI investments into tangible business value. These findings were presented at the Gartner IT Symposium in Orlando.

Management Practices to Achieve Results

Alicia Mullery, an analyst at Gartner, observes a growing gap between the innovation race led by suppliers and the results race that companies must win. According to her, successful organizations quickly decide which AI projects to pursue or abandon, including those already in production, and proactively anticipate how AI agents will redefine professional roles.