AI disappoints CEO hopes so far

The use of artificial intelligence has so far yielded hardly any measurable results for many companies, according to a global survey of top managers by the consulting firm PwC. In Germany, only 11 percent of the CEOs surveyed reported higher revenues from AI, compared to 29 percent globally. In turn, 16 percent from Germany spoke of reduced costs thanks to AI, while globally it was 26 percent.

Globally, only 12 percent have managed to generate both more revenue and save costs with AI. In Germany, this figure was even just two percent. More than half of the CEOs surveyed worldwide (56 percent), and even two-thirds in Germany, therefore see no better business results from the AI foundations and pilot projects created in their companies so far.

Expectations and Reality

"The results on AI adoption show a discrepancy between high expectations and a sobering reality. We see a great willingness to invest in AI – but only a small minority of companies are achieving measurable results with it. The ability to differentiate from the competition with the help of AI, to open up new revenue streams and thus to grow is still particularly rare," commented PwC Germany CEO Petra Justenhoven on the results of the 29th Global CEO Survey, for which PwC states it surveyed over 4400 CEOs from 95 countries.

A study by consultants Boston Consulting came to similar conclusions last year. According to this study, 60 percent of around 1250 surveyed companies achieved practically no material added value and only minimal revenue and cost savings despite significant investments in AI. Another 35 percent had intensified their efforts and also reported some successes, but admitted that they were not progressing far enough or fast enough. And only five percent were achieving AI added value on a large scale.

Not a game changer after all?

The question is why. AI is not a game changer, PwC consultant Nico Reichen explained. "Without a reliable data basis and a scalable foundation, initiatives under the guise of isolated use cases remain superficial and ineffective. Those who are serious about transformation must first do their homework – otherwise AI will become an amplifier of existing problems instead of a strategic lever." In addition to the technology itself, aspects such as data provision, a development plan, sufficient investments, as well as corporate culture and talent acquisition are important.

Whether the hallucination-prone generative AI itself is even suitable for unleashing the hoped-for productivity revolution does not seem to be a question for the consultants. Rather, companies should continue to focus on AI implementation and not hesitate; Germany is already slower than other countries anyway. "Time is running out. 2026 could be the key year when AI pioneers leave the rest of the field behind," PwC Germany CEO Petra Justenhoven told Handelsblatt.

(axk)