Corporate spending on artificial intelligence is rapidly increasing, with companies planning to double their investment in 2026 to approximately 1.7% of revenues.
Despite this surge, investors may face a significant wait for substantial returns. Reports from Boston Consulting Group and Capgemini indicate that while executives are optimistic about AI's long-term potential, much of the current investment is focused on foundational elements like infrastructure, data, and workforce upskilling, which are long-cycle investments.
A gap exists between confidence and realized impact, particularly in Western markets, where investments are sometimes driven by competitive pressure rather than clear value cases. The trend suggests AI adoption is a structural shift, but shareholder returns are expected to be gradual and uneven, favoring companies with strong data assets and clear use cases.
Advisors are advised to frame AI as a long-duration structural story rather than a short-term trade.
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