3 hrs ago
AI Costs Rise as Firms Seek Measurable Returns
Companies are using AI in more parts of their everyday work.
At first, many businesses tested AI in small, separate projects.
Now they want AI to work inside systems such as customer service and planning software.
They are asking whether AI saves time, lowers costs or improves service.
Using many AI agents can also create higher costs and security problems.
Companies are setting rules to control what these agents can access and do.
They are measuring results such as faster work, fewer manual tasks and better quality.
The goal is to use AI where it creates clear value, rather than simply deploying more agents.
Enterprises are moving AI agents from isolated pilots into core CRM, ERP and other workflows.
Companies are increasingly evaluating AI through measurable business returns rather than automation demonstrations alone.
Wider agent deployment is raising concerns about costs, governance, security, compliance and token consumption.
Firms are tracking productivity, cycle times, throughput, automation, quality and customer-experience improvements.
The next phase of adoption will emphasize workflow integration, cost control and business outcomes over agent numbers.
- Who
- Enterprises, with guidance from Infosys and its senior vice president Shishank Gupta.
- What
- Companies are embedding AI agents into core workflows while measuring returns and managing cost, security and governance risks.
- Where
- Within enterprise workflows, including customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning systems.
- When
- As enterprise AI adoption moves from experimentation toward wider deployment.
- Why
- To determine whether AI investments produce measurable gains in productivity, efficiency, growth, cost optimisation and customer experience.
Key facts
- Main shift
- From isolated AI pilots to AI embedded in core business workflows.
- Key systems
- Customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning platforms.
- Value metrics
- Productivity gains, cycle-time reduction, throughput, automation rates and customer-experience improvements.
- Main challenges
- Rising costs, token consumption, agent sprawl, governance, security and compliance.
- Microsoft tools
- Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Power Platform, Copilot Studio and Power Automate.
- Governance tools
- Microsoft Purview and Infosys responsible AI and governance systems.
- Deployment principle
- Identify high-impact use cases before scaling them across the organisation.
Quotes
Shishank Gupta
Infosys senior vice president and head of the digital workplace ecosystem and Microsoft practice
“The current phase of AI adoption is focused on embedding intelligence directly into CRM and ERP processes to drive end-to-end outcomes.”
financialexpress.com
“Value realisation has become a critical part of the puzzle now.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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