Enterprises See Bigger AI Payoffs When It Becomes Daily Practice

Artificial intelligence has become ubiquitous in large U.S. companies, with an average of seven out of eight business functions leveraging the technology, according to a PYMNTS Intelligence report titled "AI at Work: Why Deeper Enterprise Use Produces Stronger Returns." However, only 20% of the 437 AI deployments examined were seamlessly integrated into daily operations.

The remaining 43% were either limited in use or still in the early exploration stage. Despite this, companies experiencing deeper integration of AI into multiple functions report significantly higher returns. Firms with no AI embedded in any function reported a 25% return rate, while those with just one or two AI-integrated functions saw returns increase to 55%.

Companies with three or more AI-integrated functions reported an impressive 93% return rate. This suggests that companies that adopt AI in a more comprehensive manner tend to see stronger financial benefits, although it's unclear whether the increased returns are a direct result of deeper AI integration. Notably, 62% of surveyed enterprises spent over $10 million on new AI tools in the past year.

However, the report also revealed that these companies faced challenges such as skill gaps and unclear responsibilities. Interestingly, companies that had already integrated older AI models into at least two functions prior to 2022 were more likely to have embedded newer AI in three or more functions. This indicates that experienced firms may provide a practical blueprint for others looking to expand AI usage across their operations.