AI adoption widespread in companies

More than half of companies are now using artificial intelligence to create value, according to the BCG 2026 Applied AI Index. The study surveyed over 1,300 executives and senior managers across 20 industry sectors, revealing that companies with more advanced AI capabilities are growing their revenue significantly faster than those with less developed AI integration.

Maturity levels and growth rates

The report identified 7.5 percent of companies as "future-oriented," meaning they have the highest level of AI maturity. An additional 41 percent are actively developing their AI use and seeing benefits. Companies with the most mature AI strategies have achieved revenue growth 2.4 times higher than those with less advanced AI adoption.

Strategic clarity and value multiplication

Future-oriented companies are demonstrating strong strategic focus, using AI in targeted, long-term programs that align with their business goals. This approach, combined with clear performance metrics, has led to AI-generated value being multiplied by five in these companies.

Future of work and AI integration

Future-oriented companies expect most AI value to come from reengineering business processes rather than just better tools. Nearly half of these companies (42 percent) anticipate that AI agents will act autonomously by 2030. Over half (55 percent) plan for a hybrid workforce of humans and AI, and 89 percent believe AI will create new jobs rather than eliminate existing ones.

Data transformation and platform adoption

Ninety-five percent of future-oriented companies are involved in data transformation, and over two-thirds are committed to using a single enterprise-wide AI platform with unified architecture. This approach contrasts with reliance on software from a single vendor. The report also found that no industry sector is immune to AI advancement, as all 20 sectors include future-oriented companies.

Value concentration and sector progress

Companies that are fully expanding their AI use generate two to three times more value than those lagging behind, in both cost reduction and revenue growth. The BCG report suggests that the gap between leaders and laggards may be even greater than it seems, with AI value concentrated in key business functions like technology, R&D, marketing, sales, and customer service.

Strategic focus and faster results

The main takeaway is that companies should avoid broad, generic AI implementations and instead focus on specific areas before scaling up. BCG found that global AI maturity is improving, with only 4.5 percent of companies now stagnant, down from 14 percent in 2025. Future-oriented companies are also achieving results faster, leveraging AI value in about 11 months compared to 17 months for laggards.

AI governance and executive support

AI governance is a major area of investment for future-oriented companies. A survey by EY found that more than half of senior AI decision-makers bypass their own governance processes to speed up AI agent deployments. Meanwhile, a KPMG survey showed that 74 percent of CEOs support the role of an AI director, and 58 percent of executives report measurable value from AI initiatives. These companies also manage AI spending deliberately, either encouraging adoption or setting limits to control costs.