Investing in AI
As global businesses continue to navigate economic uncertainty, geopolitical tension and rapid technological change, today’s CEOs are under pressure to make smarter, more strategic decisions. EY’s latest CEO Outlook Global Report highlights a clear shift in leadership thinking: confidence is returning, but only for organisations willing to be disciplined, focused and people-centred in how they invest in innovation, particularly artificial intelligence.
AI is no longer viewed as an experimental technology or a future ambition. For many executives, this is now a core driver of productivity, competitiveness and long-term growth. However, the report makes it clear that simply adopting AI tools is not enough. The organisations seeing real results are those that are careful about where they deploy AI, selective about where they spend, and committed to building genuine capability within their teams.
One of the strongest messages from the report is the importance of implementing AI in the right places. Many businesses rushed into AI adoption over the past few years, launching pilots and proof-of-concept projects across multiple departments. CEOs are now taking a more mature view, recognising that value comes from focus rather than volume. Leaders are increasingly prioritising AI initiatives that directly support strategic objectives, such as improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience or enabling faster, more accurate decision-making. By aligning AI use cases with measurable business outcomes, organisations can move away from experimentation for experimentation’s sake and towards scalable, high-impact solutions.
Alongside this more targeted approach to AI adoption, CEOs are also becoming far more disciplined about where they invest. Despite ongoing uncertainty, many leaders remain optimistic about growth, but that optimism is grounded in careful capital allocation. Spending is being directed towards initiatives that are already demonstrating clear returns, while underperforming or unfocused projects are being reassessed. This approach reflects a broader mindset shift: technology investment must prove its value. AI initiatives that deliver tangible productivity gains, cost efficiencies or revenue growth are more likely to receive continued funding, while those without a clear payoff are refined or deprioritised.
This focus on value is not about reducing ambition; it is about maximising impact. By concentrating investment on what is working, CEOs can strengthen resilience today while positioning their organisations for long-term competitiveness. The report shows that leaders who balance innovation with financial discipline are better equipped to navigate uncertainty and seize new opportunities as markets evolve.
Perhaps the most critical insight from EY’s latest CEO Outlook research is that technology alone does not drive transformation, people do. Even the most advanced AI systems will fail to deliver value if employees lack the skills, confidence and understanding to use them effectively. Many organisations still underestimate the scale of training required to fully unlock AI’s potential. As a result, a significant proportion of potential productivity gains are lost due to poor adoption and limited upskilling.
Forward-thinking CEOs are addressing this gap by investing in meaningful, ongoing training rather than surface-level introductions to AI tools. They recognise that real capability comes from developing practical skills, embedding AI literacy across teams and ensuring employees understand how AI supports their roles and the wider business strategy. By backing their people with the right learning opportunities, leaders are not only improving performance today but also building a workforce that is adaptable, confident and future-ready.
The overarching message from the CEO Outlook is clear. Successful AI adoption requires focus, financial discipline and a strong commitment to people. Organisations that implement AI where it genuinely adds value, invest in initiatives that deliver measurable returns and equip their teams with real skills will be best placed to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Key Takeaways
In summary, the organisations seeing real results are those that are careful about:
– Where they deploy AI
– Selective about where they spend
– Committed to building genuine capability within their teams
Please contact Active Digital AI for help and support. We deliver end‑to‑end AI consultation, training and AI solutions in partnership with futurist Ant Morse. We work with businesses to identify high-impact AI opportunities, optimise investment decisions and deliver practical training that empowers people to succeed. Please get in touch today.
Read EY’s full report here.
