IBM Study Reveals Meager AI Returns for Large Enterprises

IBM's latest report highlights the challenges faced by large enterprises in realizing returns on their artificial intelligence (AI) investments. According to an unpublished survey of 1,250 IT executives conducted from June through August 2026, the average return on investment (ROI) for AI is just 17%.

The report also found that internal friction consumes roughly one-fifth of the potential value organizations could be getting from their AI investments. This friction is attributed to fragmented processes, inconsistent measurement, poor visibility, and technical debt, which erode AI returns across the entire portfolio.

Only a small number of successful projects manage to generate a disproportionate share of realized value, while nearly two-thirds of AI initiatives fail to meet their expected objectives. To improve returns, companies need to consider more than just choosing better models; they must also see what AI is costing them, account for the technology needed to support it, and measure which investments are actually working.