Why Aren’t AI Investments Paying Off?
We surveyed 1,535 business leaders across six countries and five industries for our 2026 Artificial Intelligence Research. The Reckoning is the story of our findings, showing why so many AI investments have stalled and what the organisations getting real value did differently.
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Aptean partnered with independent research firm Vanson Bourne to survey 1,535 business and IT leaders at manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers across multiple industries.
What Separates Success from Failure ?
What separates the AI investments that deliver from the ones that don't? The findings point to a clear answer.
Say AI’s Value Hasn’t Been Realised
Adoption isn’t the problem, and most organisations already believe in AI. They just cannot yet prove it’s generating returns as expected.
Prefer Purpose-Built AI
Given the choice, businesses favour vertical AI, as general-purpose tools cannot keep up with the complexities of modern operations.
Specialised Solutions
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A Reality Check for Enterprise AI
The Reckoning goes beyond the headline numbers. Alongside the survey data, it draws on firsthand interviews with business leaders like you for a close look at where AI is working, where it's falling short and what it takes to see a real return on investment (ROI).
Inside, you'll find:
Why adoption hasn't translated into value
Why AI that’s “good enough” falls short
The infrastructure gaps still holding teams back
A practical framework for proving AI's ROI
What separates the organisations pulling ahead
With 87% of organisations saying they risk becoming obsolete without AI, standing still isn't a real option. The Reckoning shows you what's actually driving results, so you can move with confidence instead of guesswork.
Businesses using both industry-specific and general-purpose AI outperformed general-purpose-only adopters on every operational metric measured. The three largest gaps:
Additional AI Insights
If you’re looking for even more on enterprise AI, explore related insights from the Aptean blog—from deep dives on the different kinds of AI to the latest adoption trends and beyond.
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