A Minority of IT Decision Makers See Positive Return on AI Investments

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing around the world, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. This is reflected in an IBM survey of IT decision makers (ITDMs) that looks at how their strategies are progressing.

The research finds that companies are embracing innovation and are increasing their commitment to AI. Whereas in 2024, 20 % were planning more than 20 pilot projects with this technology, this year the number of those involved will be one third.

However, a minority (47%) are still managing to obtain a positive return on their investments. In Spain, the situation is more delicate, with the percentage dropping to 39%.

But this does not deter the country’s business community. Up to 77% of Spanish ITDMs say that during 2024 they have already made progress in the implementation of their AI strategy. 29% confirm ‘significant progress’.

The majority (61%) say they will increase their investment in AI by 2025. This will be accompanied by an increase in the number of pilot projects.

In addition, it is worth noting that the way success is measured is changing. Companies now prioritise innovation and productivity over cost savings. This leads 45% of decision-makers in Spain to say that investment in AI is driven by both innovation and return on investment. Only 3% say it is driven exclusively by ROI.

On the other hand, they are optimistic about long-term success. Seventy-nine percent expect a positive return on their investments within two years.

For 51%, more use of open source AI will be key. Other relevant areas will be managed cloud services and the recruitment of skilled workers.

Meanwhile, data quality and availability (58%) and integration with existing systems (44%) stand out as the main obstacles for companies implementing AI in our country.

‘What is clear from these results is that companies in Spain are looking beyond immediacy and betting on artificial intelligence to transform the way they innovate and compete in the long term,’ says Ana Gobernado, Managing Partner of IBM Consulting in Spain.

For her, it is ‘a transformation that transcends the mere implementation of technology, seeking to build an ecosystem where AI acts as a true strategic ally’.

‘The rise of open source, for example, speaks of an accessible and collaborative artificial intelligence, capable of adapting quickly to the changing needs of the market. It’s not just about incorporating innovative tools, but how they unleash human potential, accelerate developments, boost productivity and transform work dynamics,’ he explains.

‘Companies are demonstrating that, while the immediate ROI may not be obvious to everyone, AI is not an expense; it is an investment in resilience, adaptability and sustained innovation,’ says Gobernado.

‘That change in mindset is what will make the difference in the coming years, especially in sectors where speed and quality in decision making can be game changers,’ he concludes.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing around the world, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. This is reflected in an IBM survey of IT decision makers (ITDMs) that looks at how their strategies are progressing.

Research finds that companies are embracing innovation and are increasing their commitment to AI. Whereas in 2024, 20 % were planning more than 20 pilot projects with this technology, one-third will be involved this year.

However, a minority (47%) are still managing to obtain a positive return on their investments. In Spain, the situation is more delicate, with the percentage dropping to 39%.

However, this does not deter the country’s business community. Up to 77% of Spanish ITDMs say that by 2024, they will have already made progress in implementing their AI strategy, and 29% confirm ‘significant progress’.

The majority (61%) say they will increase their investment in AI by 2025. This will be accompanied by an increase in the number of pilot projects.

In addition, it is worth noting that the way success is measured is changing. Companies now prioritise innovation and productivity over cost savings. This leads 45% of decision-makers in Spain to say that investment in AI is driven by both innovation and return on investment. Only 3% say it is driven exclusively by ROI.

On the other hand, they are optimistic about long-term success. Seventy-nine percent expect a positive return on their investments within two years.

For 51%, more use of open source AI will be key. Other relevant areas will be managed cloud services and the recruitment of skilled workers.

Meanwhile, data quality and availability (58%) and integration with existing systems (44%) are the main obstacles to companies implementing AI in our country.

‘What is clear from these results is that companies in Spain are looking beyond immediacy and betting on artificial intelligence to transform the way they innovate and compete in the long term,’ says Ana Gobernado, Managing Partner of IBM Consulting in Spain.

For her, it is ‘a transformation that transcends the mere implementation of technology, seeking to build an ecosystem where AI acts as a true strategic ally’.

‘The rise of open source, for example, speaks of an accessible and collaborative artificial intelligence, capable of adapting quickly to the changing needs of the market. It’s not just about incorporating innovative tools, but how they unleash human potential, accelerate developments, boost productivity and transform work dynamics,’ he explains.

‘Companies are demonstrating that, while the immediate ROI may not be obvious to everyone, AI is not an expense; it is an investment in resilience, adaptability and sustained innovation,’ says Gobernado.

‘That change in mindset is what will make the difference in the coming years, especially in sectors where speed and quality in decision making can be game changers,’ he concludes.