CEOs Double Down on AI Bets Despite Spotty Returns in 2026
New surveys reveal 68% of CEOs plan to boost AI spending in 2026, undeterred by mixed ROI on current projects. Long-term transformation trumps short-term hurdles for enterprise leaders.
Corporate boardrooms buzz with unwavering AI optimism. A fresh Teneo survey of over 350 CEOs from public companies shows 68% intend to ramp up AI investments in 2026, even as fewer than half of ongoing projects deliver positive returns. This resolve persists amid investor impatience, where 53% demand ROI within six months—far quicker than the 84% of large-cap CEOs who foresee longer timelines.
Why the disconnect? Executives view AI as a marathon capability, not a quick win. Wall Street Journal reporting highlights how competitive fears and board pressures keep budgets climbing, despite pilots fizzling into pockets of efficiency in marketing and customer service. Gains shine in administrative tasks, yet complex areas like security and HR lag, forcing governance overhauls with central AI councils and tighter project links to revenue. Fewer than half of initiatives prove ROI-positive, but 88% of CEOs credit AI for navigating disruptions.
Hiring signals deepen the commitment. 67% of CEOs predict AI-driven growth in entry-level roles, with 58% eyeing senior hires to chase returns faster through upskilling and augmentation. Ursula Burns, Teneo Chairwoman, notes this workforce reshape accelerates ambitions, though investors grow restive. PwC echoes with 70% of Irish firms eyeing agentic AI budget hikes, betting on gradual value from refined data and workflows.
Skeptics probe the risks. Reuters captures executives recalibrating timelines as gen AI's revolution stalls short-term, yet belief in business overhaul endures. Amid global headwinds like geopolitics, AI tops growth priorities alongside M&A, with 78% forecasting deal surges. This mirrors broader trends—trillions poured since 2024 fuel markets, but execution gaps test patience.
For 2026, the playbook sharpens: prioritize high-impact use cases, enforce ownership, and temper hype with realism. CEOs aren't retreating; they're evolving strategies for sustainable wins. As AI reshapes leadership—demanding creativity over code—enterprises position for the payoff, proving faith in silicon's long game
