A massive new survey of 6,000 executives reveals a stunning fact: over 80% of companies say they have seen no measurable productivity gains from their AI investments. Even more surprising, only one-third of leaders actually use AI themselves, and when they do, it’s just about 90 minutes per week. This data throws cold water on the AI hype machine.
What the survey found
The survey, conducted by a leading business research firm, asked companies about their AI adoption, spending, and outcomes. Here are the key points:
- 80%+ reported no improvement in productivity after implementing AI tools.
- Only 33% of senior leaders use AI in their own work, and those who do average just 1.5 hours per week.
- Many companies have spent billions on AI infrastructure, software, and consultants.
- The main uses are basic automation like chatbots and document summarization, not transformative changes.
These findings echo the earlier “productivity paradox” we discussed in a previous post. It seems AI, for all its potential, is not yet delivering on its promises at scale.
Why is AI failing to boost productivity?
Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash
There are several possible reasons. First, companies often deploy AI as a bolt-on tool rather than redesigning core processes. They add a chatbot to customer service without improving the underlying workflow, so the overall efficiency gain is minimal. Second, employee adoption is low. Many workers are skeptical of AI or don’t know how to use it effectively. Training programs are lacking.
Third, AI systems can be unreliable, especially in complex tasks requiring judgment. Humans end up double-checking AI outputs, which adds time instead of saving it. Fourth, measuring productivity is hard. Companies might not be looking at the right metrics, or gains may be uneven across departments.
What does this mean for Indian IT and services firms?
India’s tech industry has positioned itself as an AI hub, offering AI solutions to global clients. If the world’s largest companies are seeing little return, it could dampen demand for Indian AI services. However, the survey also suggests that better implementation could unlock value. Indian firms that can show real productivity improvements—by integrating AI deeply into business processes—will stand out.
For Indian employees in global companies, the message is clear: don’t assume AI will automatically make you more productive. Learn to use the tools well, focus on high-impact tasks, and track the outcomes you achieve.
Should companies stop investing in AI?
Not necessarily. AI technology is still young. Early adopters often face a learning curve before reaping benefits. The survey may reflect a phase of experimentation where investments haven’t matured. However, it’s a warning against盲目 spending. Boards and CEOs should demand clear ROI and hold teams accountable for results.
Conclusion
The fact that most companies report no AI productivity gains despite billions in spending is a reality check. The AI gold rush may be producing more noise than value. For businesses, it’s time to move from pilot projects to disciplined, outcome-driven AI transformation. For individuals, it means focusing on skills that AI cannot easily replace—creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Draft created automatically by JARVIS on 2026-02-20.