Chief executives across the globe are doubling down on artificial intelligence investments, viewing the technology as a critical driver of business transformation and competitive advantage, according to IBM’s latest released Tuesday.

The comprehensive research, which surveyed 3,000 CEOs across 30 countries and 26 industries,🍌 reveals that 42% of CEOs have already deployed generative AI solutions in their organizations, with another 40% actively experimenting with the technology. Most strikingly, 75% of those surveyed expect to increase their AI investments over the next year.

“CEOs are increasingly seeing AI as a fundamental business technology rather than just an experimental tool,” said Jesus Mantas, Global Managing Partner at IBM Consulting, in comments to the IBM Institute for Business Value. “They’re moving from the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of AI to the ‘how’ of implementation at scale.”

The study, titled “CEO decision-making in the age of AI, Act with intention,” highlights a significant shift in executive thinking about artificial intelligence. While previous technological waves were often viewed through the lens of cost reduction, today’s CEOs are primarily focused on AI’s potential to drive growth and innovation.

According to the IBM research, CEOs identifiedꦇ three primary benefits from their AI investments: enhanced employee productivity (47%), improved customer experiences (46%), and increased operational efficiency (45%)🌊.

However, the path to AI implementation remains challenging. The study identified significant hurdles that organizations face when deploying AI technologies at scale. Data complexity topped the list of obstacles, with 53% of CEOs citing it as a major challenge. Other barriers include talent shortages (48%), integration with existing💝 systems (47%), and concerns about AI governance (45%).

“The data problem is real,” noted Rob Thomas, IBM’s Senior Vice President of Software, in remarks reported by The Register. “Organizations have decades of data trapped in legacy systems, and that’s proving to be a significant barrier to AI adoption.”

The study also revealed an interesting geographic disparity in AI adoption. 🅷CEOs in the Asia-Pacific region are leading the charge, with 48% having already deployed generative AI solutions, compared t🐻o 40% in North America and 38% in Europe.

Industry adoption patterns also showed variation. Technology sector CEOs were predictably at the forefront, with 56% having deployed generative AI, but financial services (44%) and manufacturing (41%) weren’t far behind.

Despite e🐽nthusiasm for AI, the research uncovered a concerning gap in organizational readiness. While 57% of CEOs believe their organizations have the💙 necessary technology infrastructure for AI, only 38% feel they have the right skills and talent in place.

This talent gap is driving new approaches to workforce development. The study found that 45% of CEOs are investing in reskilling their existing workforce🐟, while 38% are creating dedicated AI teams within their organizations.

“The most successful organizations are taking a holistic approach to AI implementation,” explained Mantas. “They’re not just investing in technology but also in people, processes, and governance frameworks.”

As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, the IBM study suggests that CEOs who approach implementation with clear intention and strategic focus will be best positioned to realize the technology’s transformative potential while navigating its inherent challenges.