EY reports half of CEOs see AI as a major productivity driver. Nearly a quarter struggle to turn those gains into measurable financial outcomes. Almost all CEOs say output per employee rose in the past year. Only 16% have clear real-time visibility into AI return on investment. 48% redirect extra capacity to growth, innovation and transformation. 23% see gains absorbed by operational complexity and regulation. EY surveyed 1,200 CEOs across 21 countries in August and September. The report says productivity alone is not a strategy. Leaders must redesign how people and technology work together. The figures come from EY’s latest CEO Outlook Survey.

• 50% of CEOs cite AI as major productivity driver
• 23% struggle to convert gains to financial outcomes
• 16% have clear real-time AI ROI visibility
• 1,200 CEOs surveyed across 21 countries