Why Are Only 26% of Companies Seeing Real AI Value?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. It’s revolutionizing industries, streamlining operations, and creating new business opportunities. But despite the widespread enthusiasm, only a fraction of companies are truly unlocking AI’s potential. A recent study by Boston Consulting Group (Where’s the Value in AI?) reveals a surprising gap: while 98% of businesses are experimenting with AI, just 26% have moved beyond proof of concept to generate real, scalable impact. What sets AI leaders apart from the rest?
The AI Reality Check
The numbers are stark. According to the BCG study, while AI is being widely tested, only 4% of companies are genuine AI pioneers, consistently scaling cutting-edge capabilities. These AI leaders report significantly higher revenue growth, shareholder returns, and return on investment (ROI). Meanwhile, the majority remain stuck in pilot mode, struggling to turn promising AI initiatives into operational success.
So where does the real value of AI come from, and how can companies shift from experimentation to impact?
Where AI’s Value Truly Lies
A common misconception is that AI delivers its biggest gains in support functions, such as IT automation and customer service. However, research shows that 62% of AI-driven value comes from core business functions — revenue-generating activities like marketing, sales, and product innovation.
AI leaders focus on fewer, high-impact opportunities where AI impacts both cost reduction and revenue growth.
The Missing Link: People, Processes & Strategy
Many companies assume AI success is all about technology. However, the BCG study highlights that AI leaders take a different approach. Their efforts are allocated as follows:
70% – People & processes (change management, workflows, governance)
20% – Technology & data (platforms, infrastructure)
10% – Algorithms (model quality & performance)
© Brainsuite
This balance is crucial. Companies that prioritize technology over people often face execution challenges, including:
Difficulty in defining the right AI use cases
Struggles in moving from strategy to action
Skill gaps and a lack of organizational readiness
Challenges integrating AI with existing IT systems
From Buzzword to Business Value
The companies truly benefitting from AI don’t just build algorithms—they integrate AI into their processes, workflows and systems. This means aligning AI initiatives with business goals, embedding AI-driven decision-making into workflows and systems, and ensuring that teams have the skills and tools to execute effectively. It’s about more than technology—it’s about transformation.
Brainsuite: Turning AI Potential into Business Value
At Brainsuite, we help companies bridge the AI adoption gap by focusing on what truly drives effectiveness: strategic implementation, people-centric AI adoption, and scalable integration. Our AI platform isn’t just another tool—it’s designed to help businesses build a sustainable AI capability that delivers real value.
Brainsuite offers a suite of AI applications tailored to specific business needs, helping marketing and brand teams optimize creative asset effectiveness at scale. With neuroscience-driven insights and predictive AI, we ensure that AI isn’t just an experiment but a competitive advantage.
How can your company move from AI experimentation to real, scalable impact?
Watch our expert-led webinar where we share real-world case studies, actionable insights, and practical steps for successful AI adoption. Let’s turn AI from a buzzword into business impact—together.