Businesses See Growing AI Returns, But Full Potential Remains Untapped
A new SAP report indicates enterprise AI adoption is shifting from experimentation to execution, yielding significant returns. However, many organizations recognize substantial untapped value and strategic gaps.
Enterprise AI is transitioning from an experimental phase to widespread execution, now supporting nearly one-third of all tasks in the average organization, according to the SAP Value of AI Report 2026. Based on a survey of 2,600 business leaders across 13 countries, the report found that while AI is generating real returns, a significant gap remains in its full potential realization.
While ROI expectations for agentic AI have risen, the report identifies strategy, data, and governance as key barriers limiting AI's value delivery. Sean Kask, chief AI strategy officer at SAP, stated that AI lacking proper context—whether in processes, data, or governance—risks creating activity without outcomes or introducing new risks.
Despite accelerating investment, over half of organizations still approach AI in an ad hoc or piecemeal manner, with only 17% reporting a strategic, holistic approach. This fragmentation may stem from top-down demands for AI adoption without adequate strategy or literacy, leading to scattered efforts.
Data quality and availability have emerged as the primary obstacles to realizing greater AI value, cited by 73% of respondents. The report highlights that as AI models advance, preserving business context becomes crucial for effective outputs. Additionally, AI governance is identified as a critical, often underestimated challenge, with many companies unprepared to manage and audit the integration of AI agents into their operations.