Why Companies Struggle to Capture AI Value

Despite significant investments, 89% of US operations leaders report that their technology investments have not fully delivered expected results. PwC's 2026 AI Business Predictions suggests that only 20% of an AI initiative's value comes from technology, while 80% comes from redesigning workflows around it. However, most organizations focus their budgets on technology, neglecting the crucial redesign work. Additionally, autonomous AI chains can compound small errors into system-level failures, and bolt-on AI can strain existing systems if not accompanied by necessary upgrades. Leaders who understand and address these issues are pulling away financially.