Gartner survey: 44% of CEOs can't prove AI's financial returns

A new Gartner survey shows 44% of CEOs struggle to prove AI's financial returns to stakeholders. Still, 75% plan to boost tech spending, and 62% name revenue growth as a top strategic priority.

The survey covered 203 CEOs and executives worldwide. It found 80% believe technology itself has become strategy, making tech decisions central to talks about growth and competitiveness.

The data also shows 93% expect economic volatility to affect business goals by 2027, and 77% expect the same from AI industrialization. Yet readiness sits at just 24% and 20%.

To get more from AI, 63% say operating models need a fundamental rethink, 52% plan to deploy AI agents as employees, and 47% favor restructuring to free up capital.