AI Boosts Productivity for EMEA Companies: IBM Report

Published Date : 28/10/2025 

A new IBM study reveals that a majority of enterprises across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) are seeing substantial productivity improvements from AI, with many expecting returns on investment within a year. 

A new study from IBM highlights the significant impact of AI on productivity across enterprises in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). According to the report, 66% of senior leaders surveyed reported that AI has driven substantial operational productivity improvements in their organizations. Furthermore, 41% of respondents anticipate achieving returns on their AI investments within a year.

The study, titled 'The Race for ROI,' was conducted in partnership with Censuswide and surveyed 3,500 senior executives across ten countries. It reveals that while AI is transforming business operations, the benefits are not evenly distributed. Large enterprises (1,001 – 5,000 employees) are leading the charge, with 72% reporting AI-driven productivity gains, compared to 55% of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

One of the key areas where AI is making a significant difference is in software development and IT, where 32% of respondents reported notable productivity improvements. Other sectors benefiting from AI include customer service and procurement, with 32% and 27% of respondents, respectively, citing gains.

Executives identified the top three benefits of enhanced productivity as greater operational efficiency (55%), enhanced decision-making (50%), and augmented workforce capabilities, such as automating repetitive tasks (48%). Nearly a quarter (24%) of the respondents credited AI with fundamentally changing their business models, enabling them to accelerate innovation timelines, shift to continuous decision-making, and redesign value streams around AI.

Ana Paula Assis, Senior Vice President and Chair, IBM EMEA and Growth Markets, emphasized the strategic transformation potential of AI: 'The true value of AI for business goes far beyond individual productivity – it's about strategic transformation. While we are still in the foothills of AI adoption, enterprises in EMEA are seeing meaningful productivity gains from infusing AI into their operations, with many redesigning their business models.'

The study also highlighted the importance of open systems, interoperability, and choice in AI adoption. 85% of respondents stressed the importance of transparency in AI systems, ensuring ethical and responsible operation. Similarly, 84% emphasized the need for interoperability to integrate AI tools seamlessly into existing IT systems, and 85% valued the flexibility to choose and adapt AI solutions as needs evolve.

Despite the positive outcomes, the report identified concerns about security, privacy, and ethics as the top barriers to scaling successful AI pilots, cited by 68% of respondents. IT complexity, such as integrating AI with legacy systems, was also a significant challenge, mentioned by 68% of senior leaders.

To accelerate ROI from AI, the report outlines five priorities for enterprise leaders:

- Establish an effective operating model for AI, such as a federated or hub-and-spoke model, with clear ownership.

- Cultivate AI literacy and a culture of innovation across all levels of the organization.

- Get comfortable with uncertainty and rapid change, embracing a culture that enables rapid, purposeful innovation.

- Understand the risks around AI deployment and apply AI governance tooling to monitor and mitigate potential risks.

- Establish a cross-company 'AI Board' to define ethical principles and review higher-risk AI use cases before implementation.

The 'The Race for ROI' report provides a comprehensive look at how AI is helping unlock opportunities for growth and innovation in EMEA, including across major industry sectors. To learn more, download the full report from IBM's newsroom.

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI solutions, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, and gain a competitive edge. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, and industry-specific cloud solutions are backed by a commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What percentage of senior leaders in EMEA report significant productivity gains from AI?

A: 66% of senior leaders in EMEA report significant productivity gains from AI, according to the IBM study.

Q: How many respondents expect returns on AI investments within a year?

A: 41% of respondents expect returns on AI investments within a year, as reported in the study.

Q: Which sectors are seeing the most significant AI-driven productivity gains?

A: The sectors seeing the most significant AI-driven productivity gains are software development and IT (32%), customer service (32%), and procurement (27%).

Q: What are the top three benefits of enhanced productivity from AI?

A: The top three benefits of enhanced productivity from AI are greater operational efficiency (55%), enhanced decision-making (50%), and augmented workforce capabilities (48%).

Q: What are the main barriers to scaling successful AI pilots?

A: The main barriers to scaling successful AI pilots are concerns about security, privacy, and ethics (68%) and IT complexity challenges (68%). 

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