Core Insights - More than half of organizations have not yet realized the full benefits of AI adoption, indicating a gap between aspiration and actual progress [1][2] - The survey highlights a strong correlation between the maturity of an organization's AI program and the return on investment (ROI) [3][6] - Organizations face various challenges at different stages of AI maturity, which can hinder progress [4][7] AI Maturity Stages - Stage 1: Initial (19%) - Organizations recognize AI's potential but lack strategic initiatives and defined KPIs [5] - Stage 2: Experimentation (32%) - Organizations initiate small-scale AI projects to assess feasibility and benefits [5] - Stage 3: Defined (21%) - AI solutions are integrated into existing processes, enhancing efficiency [5] - Stage 4: Optimization (20%) - AI systems are enhanced for performance and scalability [5] - Stage 5: Transformation (8%) - AI drives significant business transformation [5] ROI and Satisfaction - At Stage 2, 77% of organizations report that their ROI met or exceeded expectations [6] - By Stage 5, 95% of organizations express high satisfaction with their AI investments, with 75% stating that AI exceeds ROI expectations [6] Challenges in AI Adoption - Common challenges include integration with existing systems, understanding impactful use cases, lack of skilled resources, data availability, and regulatory guidance [4] - As organizations progress, integration issues and data access challenges become more prominent, with 28% and 29% citing data availability as a major challenge at Stages 4 and 5, respectively [7] Redefining Success - Organizations need to redefine success in AI, moving from immediate cost savings to strategic growth and innovation [2][9] - Tailored AI strategies aligned with departmental goals are essential for success [8] Innovation and Collaboration - Innovation hubs, such as Protiviti's AI Studio, play a critical role in enabling organizations to explore use cases and accelerate AI implementation [9]

Core Viewpoint - The market has reacted differently to IBM and Accenture, two leaders in Gen-AI consulting, with IBM's stock soaring while Accenture's remains stagnant despite both companies having multi-billion-dollar Gen-AI businesses [1][2]. Group 1: Company Performance - IBM's Gen-AI business grew to $6 billion from inception through March 2023, achieving an average quarterly booking growth of approximately $850 million over seven quarters [3]. - Accenture's Gen-AI business stands at $4.1 billion as of May 31, 2023, with an average quarterly growth of nearly $1.37 billion, and a last quarter booking growth of $1.5 billion, which is 50% higher than IBM's "more than $1 billion" figure [4][3]. Group 2: Market Reactions and Analyst Predictions - Accenture's stock has not captured gains like IBM, leading analysts to predict notable upside potential for Accenture while forecasting downside for IBM [2][10]. - The consensus price target for Accenture is $370, implying nearly 24% upside, while IBM's target suggests over 13% downside from its June 30 closing price [10]. Group 3: Challenges Facing Accenture - Accenture's overall bookings declined by 6% last quarter, overshadowing its Gen-AI success, and the company faces a 2% headwind to overall revenue growth due to a slowdown in its federal government business [5][7]. - The company is experiencing leadership losses and a long-term internal restructuring, which complicates its ability to capitalize on its Gen-AI achievements [8]. Group 4: Long-term Outlook - Despite current challenges, Gen-AI is crucial for Accenture's long-term success, positioning the company favorably in the AI consulting space [9]. - Accenture's forward P/E ratio of approximately 22x is lower than IBM's 26x, reflecting the headwinds Accenture is facing but also indicating potential for future growth as these issues subside [12].