Most organisations don’t face AI-related challenges because of technology. They face them because there is uncertainty about the best path forward. And many AI initiatives are still seeking their breakthrough moment to deliver measurable business value. 

In fact, while organisations worldwide are investing heavily in AI, research shows that 70–95% of AI initiatives fail to reach production or create meaningful business impact. They remain isolated experiments that never scale beyond proof of concept*.

Why this happens
Leaders hear that AI should drive growth, improve customer experiences, and create new revenue opportunities. IT focuses on optimising costs, managing risk, and maintaining system stability. Both are under pressure. Both are working toward alignment. 

So, AI work starts across different teams. 
A pilot here. 
A tool there. 

But without a shared view of what success looks like and which opportunities to prioritise, organisations need a clearer path to move forward. 

What drives momentum 
More tools don’t generate this momentum. It comes from clarity around: 
– Which opportunities are worth pursuing 
– What’s realistic given your data and systems 
– What success means for your organisation 
– Who owns what and who’s accountable 

Without this foundation, every AI initiative requires more guesswork than it should. 

And that’s why many organisations experience: 
– Experiments seeking the right conditions to scale 
– Budgets requiring stronger business cases 
– Questions about where to invest next 
– Security and compliance considerations that need early attention 

Where business value comes from 
When the right opportunities are identified, and business and IT work from a shared vision, AI can: 
– Improve productivity 
– Reduce operational costs 
– Speed up decision-making 
– Enhance customer experience 
But this requires focus and strategic alignment from the start. 

Research shows that 74% of executives report achieving ROI within the first year when initiatives are properly aligned and executed**.

How to build your foundation 
Stop guessing. Start validating. Before you make significant investments, you need to understand: 
1. Where you stand now with capabilities, data, skills, and governance 
2. Which AI opportunities are feasible with your current reality 
What needs to be in place before AI delivers value 

When organisations gain this clarity, AI moves from complex to actionable and becomes a source of real competitive advantage.