IA has become an unavoidable priority for CEOs, which foresee their investments in this technology in the next two years. In Spain, 58% have already begun to implement AI agents, although only a quarter of the initiatives achieves the expected return. The majority of executive directors agree that internal data is key to extracting real value, but recognize important barriers: disconnected technological structures, talent shortage and difficulties in climbing solutions at the corporate level.

These data are detached from the new global study of the IBM Institute for Business Value, where it is revealed that the enthusiasm for AI is high, but so caution is also: 68% of Spanish managers prefer to move forward with prudence rather than rush into their technological adoption, despite the fact that fear of falling behind is accelerating investment decisions in 58% of cases.

One of the key points of the study is the generalized recognition that without an integrated and transverse data architecture it is difficult for AI to have a lasting impact. 73% of Spanish CEOs – in front of 68% global – consider it a priority, although 57% admits that its current technology remains fragmented and unfceptual due to rapid adoption, but without a cohesive strategy.

“Spanish companies are taking firm steps in the adoption of artificial intelligence, with implantation levels and return expectations very aligned with the global average,” says Ana governed, IBM Consulting Managing Partner for Spain, Portugal, Greece and Israel. “Now, the challenge is to turn that commitment into tangible results, solving the challenges of technological integration and betting on talent and collaboration between areas,” he adds.

Caution, roi and organizational maturity

The study reveals a persistent tension between the urgency of innovating and the need for specific results. Although 65% of Global CEO claim to prioritize use cases with a clear return, only a quarter has achieved the expected ROI in its AI initiatives. In Spain, that percentage drops to 23%, while only 16% of global projects have climbed throughout the organization.

“As the adoption of AI accelerates, generating greater efficiency and productivity, the true reward will only reach the CEOs that have the value of assuming the risk as an opportunity,” writes Gary Cohn, vice president of IBM, in the prologue of the report. “When the business context is uncertain, use the AI ​​and the company’s own data to identify where it has an influence becomes a competitive advantage.”

In parallel, 64% of Global CEO admits that the fear of falling back leads them to invest even before completely understanding the value of these technologies. In Spain, that figure is 58%, although the majority (68%) prefers to advance cautiously.

Leadership, talent and professional recycling

Beyond technology, the study identifies two fundamental pillars to unlock the value of AI: strategic leadership and qualified talent. Three out of four Spanish CEO believe that the success of their organization depends directly on having well -informed and trained leaders to make critical decisions. This vision is reinforced by the need to break organizational silos, overcome risk aversion and promote staff training.

In this sense, 30% of workers in Spain will require some type of professional recycling in the next three years. To compensate for the shortage of skills, 75% of CEOs in Spain plans to rely on automation, and 50% are already hiring for roles linked to AI that did not exist a year ago.

Future expectations

Despite current barriers, forecasts for the coming years are positive. 89% of Spanish CEOs expect their investments in efficiency based on AI generate positive return before 2027. In terms of growth and expansion, expectations are moderate slightly, with 72% anticipating benefits.

Thus, the IBM study offers a clear radiography of the moment that artificial intelligence lives in the business environment: a technology with an indisputable potential, but that still needs clear strategies, robust structures and a commitment decided by talent to translate into true competitive value.