Seventy-two percent of organizations globally have deployed artificial intelligence in at least one core business function, according to McKinsey and Company's 2026 State of AI survey, up from 55% in 2023. The annual survey, which gathered responses from more than 1,300 executives across 22 countries, found that AI deployment has shifted from pilot programs to operational integration in the majority of large enterprises.

The functions reporting the highest rates of AI deployment are marketing and sales at 38% of respondents, supply chain and operations at 34%, and human resources at 29%. Respondents identified cost reduction and productivity improvement as the top outcomes achieved, with 61% reporting measurable cost reductions attributable to AI tools deployed in the past 24 months.

Return on investment metrics have improved alongside adoption rates. McKinsey found that 44% of organizations now report meaningful revenue increases linked to AI deployments, compared to 27% in 2024. The gap has closed as organizations move past initial implementation challenges and into scaled operational use.

Talent and change management remain the leading barriers to AI value realization. Fifty-three percent of respondents cited a lack of AI-skilled employees as a primary constraint, while 41% identified organizational resistance to workflow changes as a significant adoption barrier.

The survey also found that AI investment is expected to continue increasing, with 68% of executives planning to increase AI-related spending in 2026. The largest planned increases are concentrated in AI infrastructure, foundation model licensing, and AI training programs for existing employees.

Source: McKinsey and Company -- https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai-2026