Why AI ROI Is Stalling: A CEO and CIO Guide to Turning Pilots into Operating Results

This article analyzes why enterprise AI initiatives often fail to deliver financial returns, citing surveys showing only 25% of AI projects meet ROI expectations. It argues that organizations treat AI as experiments rather than investments, lacking accountability, baselines, and scale gates. The authors propose replacing disconnected pilots with a governed investment portfolio, where each initiative has a business owner, measured unit economics, and termination criteria. The goal is to scale only investments that improve operating results, not all pilots. Practical guidance for leadership to bridge the gap between AI adoption and operating value.