A KPMG study found only 9% of CEOs see AI as transformational for their organization. Nearly 40% reported significant efficiency or growth gains from AI agents. Another 43% saw moderate impacts with targeted use cases. 84% still call AI a top investment priority over the next three years. 65% plan to spend at least 10% of their capital budget on AI next year. More than 60% of U.S. leaders feel their firms are moving at the right pace or ahead. 32% are cautiously optimistic about their AI progress. 4% are concerned and struggling to keep up. 85% expect cybercrime to impact their organization’s prosperity. 89% expect to increase headcount over the next three years. 81% said AI forced them to reimagine employee training. 75% said AI adoption made them rethink entry-level role skills. The study surveyed over 1,300 CEOs worldwide, including 400 in the U.S.

• 9% see AI as transformational
• 40% report significant efficiency or growth gains
• 43% see moderate impacts
• 84% call AI a top investment priority