According to the latest CIO report, global enterprises have invested $250 million in artificial intelligence (AI), a figure that highlights the importance of AI technology in modern business. However, despite the huge scale of investment, businesses still face significant challenges in proving the return on investment (ROI). Business leaders are working to increase productivity through AI technology, but this process often requires refactoring existing applications, updating business processes, and inspiring employees to learn new skills to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. QuickBlox CEO Nate MacLeitch conducted an in-depth investigation of 136 executives to uncover the reality of AI adoption and explore leaders’ top priorities, major concerns, and the sources of information they are looking for trusted tools in 2025.
The survey results show that when enterprises choose commercial AI tools, ease of use and integration capabilities (72.8%) are the main driving factors. However, when asked about the biggest concerns in the selection process, 60.3% of respondents said privacy and security were their biggest concerns. This emphasis on ease of use raises questions about whether security is fully valued. As human-computer communication becomes more convenient, AI users can complete more tasks more efficiently. With user-friendly analytics tools, businesses can automate tasks, optimize processes and make smarter decisions. API-driven AI and microservice architectures will allow enterprises to integrate advanced AI capabilities into existing systems in a modular way. The combination of codeless solutions, automated machine learning (auto-ML), and multimodal virtual assistants with voice control will accelerate the development of customized applications without the need for extensive AI expertise.
While data privacy issues are the biggest concerns for leaders during the AI selection phase, only 20.6% listed it as a major issue when asked about the integration challenge. Instead, 41.2% of leaders said integration costs were their most concerned issue. It is worth noting that when asked “what else do you need support”, the “more affordable option” option ranks the lowest, with leaders focusing more on training and education (56.6%), customized solutions (54.4%), and technical support (54.4%).
External information sources are the primary source for leaders to study trusted AI applications. The survey shows that 54.4% of leaders trust the LinkedIn and X platforms most, probably because they provide a wide range of professional connections. Despite misinformation and biases on social media platforms, decision makers must combine online research, expert consultation and supplier presentations to make purchase decisions.
In terms of integration, 26.5% of respondents said that limited expertise in managing AI in internal is their second biggest concern, second only to integration costs. With the popularity of generative AI and automation, 87% of business leaders expect at least one-quarter of employees to need retraining. Businesses should realize the importance of regulatory compliance and develop AI governance strategies based on interpretability, fairness, robustness, transparency and privacy.
Effective communication and evidence that can bring real benefits will help the team understand the need for AI. By creating a psychologically safe environment and encouraging teams to share ideas and feedback, companies can effectively promote the successful implementation of AI.
Key points:
- 72.8% of enterprises value ease of use when choosing AI tools, but 60.3% of leaders expressed concerns about privacy and security.
- 41.2% of leaders believe that integration costs are the main challenge, while 56.6% want more training and education support.
- LinkedIn and X are the main sources of information for leaders to find trusted AI tools, but pay attention to the accuracy of the information.