Senior leaders are rapidly moving AI from a technical project to a boardroom priority. A recent BCG survey of 2,400 executives, including 640 CEOs, shows that nearly three‑quarters of CEOs now lead AI decisions, driving higher investment, talent upskilling, and stronger governance to capture measurable business value.
CEO Leadership Elevates AI to Boardroom Priority
CEOs are no longer delegating AI strategy solely to technology chiefs. They are becoming the architects of AI transformation, overseeing its impact on strategy, operations, culture, risk management, and talent development. Half of CEOs believe their positions could be at risk if AI innovation fails to deliver results, highlighting personal accountability for AI outcomes.
Surging Corporate AI Investment
BCG projects AI spending to rise from 0.8 % to 1.7 % of corporate revenues, more than doubling current levels. Four out of five CEOs express greater optimism about AI ROI compared with a year earlier, reflecting confidence in the technology’s strategic contribution.
AI Agents Fuel Executive Confidence
The rapid development of autonomous AI agents is a key driver of optimism. Leaders cite the growth of AI agents as the primary source of confidence, expecting these agents to generate measurable results and reshape workflows across industries.
Commitment to AI Budgets Despite Short‑Term Variability
More than 90 % of CEOs plan to maintain or increase AI spending even if short‑term returns are modest. This persistence underscores a long‑term view of AI as a core strategic lever rather than a fleeting experiment.
Gap Between Ambition and Execution
Only 15 % of CEOs meet BCG’s “trailblazer” criteria—acting as decisive AI champions and upskilling roughly three‑quarters of their workforce. The majority remain in earlier adoption stages, facing cultural and talent challenges that can slow ROI.
Implications for Governance, Talent, and Risk
Elevating AI to the boardroom agenda drives the creation of AI ethics committees and risk‑assessment frameworks as standard executive responsibilities. CEOs who have reskilled a majority of staff are positioned to extract more value from AI agents, while firms lagging in talent development may experience slower returns.
Future Outlook for Executive‑Driven AI Transformation
As AI spending exceeds 1.7 % of corporate revenues, CEOs must balance rapid deployment with robust governance, workforce readiness, and clear ROI pathways. The next wave of AI‑driven transformation will be judged by how effectively senior leaders translate autonomous capabilities into sustainable business performance.
