Uncover how organizations worldwide are adopting and optimizing artificial intelligence, with an insightful view into the evolving stages of AI maturity. This survey report, summarizing the results of Protiviti’s inaugural AI pulse Survey, takes you on the journey from early AI exploration to transformative, organization-wide integration, highlighting the nonlinear path to ROI and the varying challenges faced at each stage. These actionable insights can help you align AI strategies with broader business objectives, maximize data value, and develop the skills and infrastructure necessary to achieve sustainable, long-term success. This information is particularly valuable now as the pace of AI innovation accelerates, making it crucial for organizations to move beyond pilot projects and cost-saving initiatives toward scalable, strategic adoption that fuels innovation and competitive advantage.

Achieving AI success starts with a strong foundation: understanding AI, building technical skills and managing change effectively. Adaptability, strategic thinking and stakeholder alignment are just as crucial for meaningful impact. Clear objectives, robust data governance, and a culture of continuous learning set the stage for progress. Organizations should launch projects with well-defined use cases, prioritize customer outcomes, involve stakeholders early, and ensure technology and data systems are scalable and secure. Balancing short-term wins with long-term innovation, creating Centers of Excellence, and fostering ongoing adaptation help organizations stay ahead. Ultimately, true success with AI isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about developing the right mindset and strategy. Leaders who think big, act decisively, and invest in key capabilities will drive lasting transformation.

Major findings include:

• Most organizations surveyed are in the early to middle stages of AI adoption.
• 85% of organizations indicate that their investment in AI has met or exceeded expectations.
• As organizations advance through the stages of maturity, satisfaction with AI investments improves significantly.
• Integrating AI technology into existing systems is the biggest single challenge.