The paradox of AI enthusiasm without proofThe 7% figure looks even stranger when placed next to another data point from the same survey: 76% of leaders say AI is delivering “meaningful business value.” Average AI spending across the surveyed organizations sits at $188 million per company. Investor pressure is buildingAbout 24% of leaders report feeling pressure from investors to demonstrate tangible value from AI spending. Meanwhile, 79% of leaders cite AI as a top investment priority. The most telling number in the entire survey might be the simplest comparison: 76% of leaders feel AI is valuable, but only 7% can prove it.