Companies are maintaining their aggressive investment stance on generative artificial intelligence despite growing market skepticism, according to Bain’s latest quarterly AI readiness survey.
The study reveals that 78% of executives consider generative AI among their top five priorities, with half ranking it in their top three initiatives. Only 1% of respondents dismissed it as a non-priority.
The sustained corporate enthusiasm comes amid mounting questions from analysts about return on investment and practical applications. However, 75% of executives across industries continue to view the technology as a significant disruptive force, a perception that has remained constant throughout Bain’s three surveys.
More than half of respondents report already achieving business value from their AI investments. Yet challenges persist, particularly in implementation. Companies increasingly cite data preparedness as a key obstacle, while many acknowledge difficulties in effectively utilizing AI tools.
The survey highlights a clear organizational divide in AI management: traditional companies typically house AI initiatives within IT departments, while technology firms tend to embed them within engineering and R&D units. Leading companies – those reporting higher success rates – show a preference for centralized decision-making in AI strategy.
While custom development still dominates AI implementation, there’s a growing shift toward off-the-shelf solutions as the market matures. Notably, companies with more successful AI deployments show a greater tendency to purchase rather than build solutions, possibly reflecting a more realistic assessment of their internal capabilities.
The findings suggest that despite market skepticism, corporate America’s bet on generative AI remains unwavering, driven by both opportunity and competitive necessity.
