This is one of the reads of the year.
I recommend you to listen the summary in my podcast.
BCG (Boston Consulting Group) has created this fantastic document that provides a clear snapshot of where we stand and what is expected from AI in 2025, based on 1,800 surveys of C-level executives worldwide.
The document is concise, simple, yet packed with data that requires reading twice to fully grasp all the insights.
I’m sharing the summary here and highly recommend listening to it through my podcast on Spotify.
AI Investments are Growing:
Companies globally are planning to invest significantly in AI in 2025. Many companies aim to spend over $25 million on AI, with a notable increase in investment projected over the next three years, especially in GenAI.
AI's Strategic Importance:
75% of executives rank AI/GenAI as a top strategic priority. However, only 25% are seeing significant value from their investments, highlighting the gap between ambition and actual return on investment (ROI).
Key AI Value Play Strategies (continued):
Deploying AI in everyday tasks to increase productivity by 10-20%.
Reshaping critical functions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness by 30-50%.
Inventing new products and services to build long-term competitive advantages.
AI Investment Priorities:
Leading companies allocate more than 80% of their AI investments towards reshaping critical functions and creating new products and services. On the other hand, most companies still focus more on individual productivity, which leads to a diluted impact.
Tracking AI Value Creation:
60% of companies fail to define and monitor any financial KPIs related to AI value creation, which limits their ability to measure and optimize their AI investments. Leading companies, however, set clear goals and track both top-line and bottom-line impacts.
AI Talent and Upskilling:
AI talent, both specialists and upskilled workers, are crucial for success. However, many companies struggle with reimagining workflows, incentivizing change, and attracting or upskilling AI talent.
AI Risks:
Data privacy and security, lack of control over AI decisions, and regulatory challenges are major concerns for executives. Additionally, cybersecurity remains a critical risk, with 76% of companies acknowledging that their AI cybersecurity measures need further improvement.
AI Agents in 2025:
AI agents, which are AI systems capable of using tools, reasoning, observing, planning, and acting, are expected to become central to many organizations. These agents can deliver up to three times more productivity and speed benefits compared to traditional assistants. However, companies must carefully manage the increased complexity and operational risks associated with agents.
AI and Human Collaboration:
Executives generally see AI and human talent as complementary, with AI taking the lead in some areas while humans retain oversight. More than 60% of executives anticipate the workforce will see an increase in headcount and new roles, driven by AI automation, rather than a decrease.
AI Upskilling:
While AI upskilling is accelerating, around 70% of companies have trained fewer than one-quarter of their workforce on AI tools. Some countries, like Singapore and Japan, lead in AI/GenAI upskilling, while others, like Brazil and Italy, are lagging.
Strategic Playbook for CEOs:
To maximize AI value, companies need to:
Break through AI’s imagination gap by rethinking what’s possible with AI.
Focus on transformative opportunities in core functions.
Define and track clear KPIs for AI success.
Lead cultural and organizational change personally.
Anticipate future AI developments and the accompanying risks.
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