74% of firms prioritize AI investments, but struggle to prove return on investment

AI Investments Remain Priority Despite Economic Headwinds

Three in four global leaders—74% to be precise—continue to prioritize AI investments even as economic uncertainty looms large, according to a new KPMG study 1

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. Yet the research reveals a stark reality: spending more on AI doesn't automatically translate into creating value. While 64% of organizations currently report that AI delivers meaningful business value, a significant three-quarters express deep concerns about data security and privacy 2

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. The disconnect between investment enthusiasm and proven results highlights a critical challenge facing enterprises today—many lack a fully rounded plan to prove return on investment.

The Shift to Agentic AI Demands More Than Just Spending

Businesses are rapidly evolving from GenAI to agentic AI, with 32% now deploying AI agents at scale and 27% utilizing multiple agents 1

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. However, this technological leap requires more than financial commitment. The KPMG research shows that only 20% of early-stage firms feel confident managing AI risks, while this figure climbs to nearly 50% among companies that have achieved AI leader status 2

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. This confidence gap underscores the need for upskilling and strategic workforce development alongside technology deployment.

What Separates AI Leaders from the Rest

Currently, just 11% of organizations qualify as AI leaders, but reaching this designation proves crucial: 82% of AI leaders perceive significant business value compared to only 62% of their non-leading counterparts 1

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. KPMG emphasizes that achieving AI leader status requires viewing AI as a fundamental transformation rather than a bolt-on enhancement to existing systems. These leading organizations distinguish themselves by hiring for AI-specific roles, running comprehensive training programs, and fostering human collaboration with AI agents. The data reveals a compelling metric: organizations investing in workforce development are nearly four times more likely to realize AI value 1

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Governance and Trust Remain Foundation for Success

The persistent challenges that plagued early AI investments continue to haunt organizations today: data quality, robust data governance, compliance, and data security and privacy concerns. Steve Chase, KPMG's Global Head of AI and Digital Innovation, stated plainly: "There is no agentic future without trust and no trust without governance that keeps pace" 2

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. Addressing these foundational issues early enables companies to build the right infrastructure before fundamentally transforming how they operate. Chase emphasized that sustained investment in people, training, and change management allows organizations to scale AI responsibly and capture value 1

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. For businesses navigating economic uncertainty while pursuing AI transformation, the message is clear: ROI depends not just on technology spending, but on building trust through governance and investing strategically in human capabilities.