tech

Companies are spending trillions on AI. The C-suite doesn’t know who is in charge of it.

Everyone agrees that someone is calling the shots on a corporate AI strategy. It’s just that a lot of executives aren’t clear on who that is.

Companies are spending trillions on AI. The C-suite doesn’t know who is in charge of it.

TL;DR

  • A Pearl Meyer survey found only 34% of C-suite executives clearly understand who makes AI-related decisions, compared to 53% of board members and 57% of non-C-suite managers.
  • Executives closest to AI implementation are least confident in clear decision-making ownership, while those further removed are more optimistic.
  • Total AI spending is expected to reach $2.5 trillion this year, with significant projected increases in the following year.
  • 80% of U.S. CEOs believe their job is at risk due to AI project failures.
  • Leaders across all stages of AI maturity are equally confident (around 50%) that AI will deliver significant gains within 18 months.
  • CEOs are more optimistic than other executives about employees' capacity to handle additional organizational change, including AI implementation.
  • A significant gap exists in perceived upcoming organizational changes between CEOs/C-suite executives and board members.
  • The lack of clear AI ownership and potential disconnects in change management could lead to 'finger-pointing' and 'turnover' when justifying spending.