Seizing the AI and automation opportunity: The moment is now

Three out of four CEOs say their competitive advantage rests on generative AI. Companies at the forefront of generative AI adoption and data-led innovation—a group we call Generative AI Leaders—are already reaping outsized rewards, reporting 72% greater annual net profits and 17% more annual revenue growth than peers.

Momentum is spreading, with 92% of C-suite executives expecting to digitize their organization’s workflows and leverage AI-powered automation by 2026. The challenge: while some organizations speed up, others can’t keep up. The widening gap between early adopters and hesitant businesses is creating a great divide—one in which organizations that struggle to embrace AI-driven solutions could lose ground in an increasingly technology-driven marketplace.

In response to these dramatic developments, the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBM IBV) has undertaken its most complex, far-reaching study on AI and automation.

We surveyed more than 2,000 C-suite executives around the world, including Chief Automation Officers, about key strategies and investments as they advance intelligent workflows with AI and automation to improve connectivity and scale to value. We also highlight our Generative AI Leaders mentioned above. The discrete group is making critical investments in this advanced technology, enhancing AI and automation across their organizations.

Eight out of ten (82%) respondents overall agree that benefits from generative AI are worth potential risks. As all facets of society navigate this new terrain, it’s an opportune moment to investigate the opportunities that generative AI and automation create for organizations.

What sets Generative AI leaders apart?

Is everyone getting on board the generative AI revolution? It might seem that way, but not all initiatives—or enterprises—are performing equally.

A fifth of our respondents (19%) revealed themselves to be what we call Generative AI Leaders. They cite the technology as critically important to them and view generative AI capabilities as the primary driver of their automation investments.

This select group is pulling away from the pack in terms of generative AI strategy and adoption, and in business and technology performance.

Generative AI leaders aggressively invest in automation—also citing it as very or critically important—to fast-track their digital transformation agenda. They plan to accelerate performance with intelligent workflows—and are investing and scaling IT platforms and applications while decreasing IT complexity with automation. Their proactive, aggressive stance is palpable—for example, they regard automation as an accelerator to digital transformation 25% more often than their non-Leader peers.

Goals for automation investments

AI and automation: Four critical considerations—and an action guide

In this report, we delve into four critical areas: data and preparedness, human talent and digital assistants, the IT opportunity, and investment priorities. Along the way, we share case studies of real-world impact. Finally, we present an action guide, with an 11-point blueprint for optimizing intelligent automation. For more information, read the report.