Business · Economy · 6 hrs ago
AI adoption is widespread, but few companies report major financial gains
Many organizations have started using AI, but few have changed how they work enough to see major financial gains.
A 2026 McKinsey survey cited in the article found that 88% use AI in at least one function, while 6% reported an impact of more than 5% on operating earnings.
By comparison, 53% of U.S. adults use AI, while only 10% of companies have put it into productive use, according to the article.
The author argues that the problem is not just the technology: companies often fail to redesign their workflows.
The article calls this part of a wider pattern in which digital tools spread quickly but productivity growth remains slow.
It also argues that complex organizations and rising administrative costs make it harder for technology to improve output, especially in services such as health care and education.
The article gives no specific next step or timeline for when these barriers might change.
McKinsey’s 2026 survey found that 88% of organizations use AI in at least one function, but only 6% report an earnings impact above 5%.
The share of high-performing organizations was unchanged from 2025, according to the survey.
The article argues that the gap reflects a lack of organizational change rather than a shortage of AI technology.
High performers are three times more likely than other adopters to have redesigned workflows end to end.
Only 21% of AI adopters have redesigned workflows end to end, the article says.
- Who
- Organizations adopting AI, as measured by McKinsey’s 2026 survey.
- What
- AI use is widespread, but only 6% of organizations qualify as high performers with an earnings impact above 5%.
- When
- McKinsey’s 2026 survey; the article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The survey covers organizations; the article also gives figures for U.S. companies and adults.
- Why
- The article attributes the gap to insufficient organizational transformation, including a lack of end-to-end workflow redesign.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
you could see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics
The iPhone launched, and pundits predicted a mobile-first transformation.
McKinsey’s survey found that 6% of organizations qualified as high performers.
McKinsey’s survey found that 88% of organizations used AI in at least one function, while the high-performer share remained at 6%.
- AI use
- 88% of organizations use AI in at least one function
- High performers
- 6% achieve more than 5% EBIT impact
- Workflow redesign
- 21% of AI adopters have redesigned workflows end to end
- Consumer AI
- 53% of U.S. adults use AI
- Enterprise AI deployment
- 10% in productive deployment
Sources
Related news
Asian shares cautious as earnings and inflation data approach
Asian markets cautious as earnings and US inflation data loom
Two Project Europe cofounders step down as fund prepares for next chapter
Fintechs make up more than half of Europe’s planned growth-stage fundraisers
Global trade growth highlights countries’ economic interdependence
Mexican financial firms increasingly use cloud services to launch products
African Union-backed credit rating agency launches in Mauritius
Oil prices fall as traders await Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire
Gold rises as oil and the dollar fall, with US inflation data ahead
AI investment boom is pushing up Swiss mortgage costs
Copper rises as rate-hike bets ease and Chile mine avalanche affects supply outlook