Key facts
- Only 13% of companies are on track with their AI initiatives.
A BearingPoint study found that only 13% of companies are on track with their AI initiatives, despite nearly three-quarters reporting positive financial results. Regulatory hurdles and integration challenges with existing IT systems are slowing large-scale adoption.
The findings suggest that while companies recognize the financial benefits of AI, significant challenges in regulation and IT integration are preventing widespread adoption and the realization of full potential, impacting future productivity and competitiveness.
A study by consultancy firm BearingPoint found that only 13% of companies are successfully scaling their AI initiatives, despite a significant majority reporting positive financial returns. The research, released on Thursday, highlights regulatory hurdles and integration issues with legacy IT systems as primary obstacles to widespread AI adoption.
Nearly three-quarters of the companies surveyed indicated they have seen positive financial results from their AI investments. However, less than a third have managed to move beyond initial pilot projects. Frederic Gigant, an expert at BearingPoint, noted that while AI has reached an important threshold, proving its value and achieving large-scale implementation are distinct challenges.
Legal regulations were cited by 40% of respondents as the main barrier to scaling AI, while 34% pointed to difficulties in integrating new AI technologies into their existing IT infrastructure. On the financial front, approximately 24% of companies reported cost savings of at least 10% driven by AI, a much higher figure than the 4% that reported revenue growth of a similar scale. The study also indicated a gradual increase in AI integration, with 11% of companies having deeply integrated AI into their operations in 2026, up from 7% in 2025.
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