Boston Consulting Group’s article, Closing the AI Impact Gap, looks at a common problem organisations are facing with AI. Companies are throwing money at AI, but many aren’t seeing the results they expected. The issue isn’t just about having the latest tech, it’s about how well AI is actually being used. Just investing in AI isn’t enough and in order to see real impact, organisations need the right strategy, culture, and focus. Here are my three key takeaways from the article:

1. Think Bigger: AI Is More Than Just a Productivity Boost

Leading companies allocate over 80% of their AI investments to transforming core functions and developing new offerings, whereas others spend 56% on smaller-scale, productivity-focused projects.

This stat highlights why some companies see real returns from AI while others don’t. The most successful ones go beyond small efficiency gains, using AI to reshape operations and create new offerings. Those lagging behind focus too much on minor productivity boosts instead of bigger transformations.

AI isn’t just an automation tool, it’s a strategic asset. Organisations that treat it as a way to rethink processes and unlock new opportunities will see the biggest returns. To fully benefit, companies need to shift focus from small-scale projects to AI-driven transformation.

2. AI Success Depends on Culture, Not Just Tech

Less than one-third of companies have upskilled one-quarter of their workforce to use AI.

This stat shows a major gap in AI adoption, where companies are investing in technology but not in the people who need to use it. Without proper training, AI tools remain underutilised, limiting their impact.

AI success isn’t just about having the right software; it’s about creating a workforce that understands and embraces it.  Organisations that prioritise upskilling will not only see better AI integration but also build a culture of innovation and adaptability.

3. Stop Diluting Your Efforts!

Leading companies focus on depth over breadth, prioritising an average of 3.5 use cases, compared with 6.1 for other companies. The leaders anticipate generating 2.1 times greater ROI on their AI initiatives than their peers.

This stat highlights the power of focus in AI adoption. Leading companies are not spreading themselves too thin, but instead concentrating on a few high-impact use cases and executing them well. In contrast, organisations that try to tackle too many AI projects at once risk slow progress and weaker returns.

AI is not about doing everything at once, it is about doing the right things effectively. The lesson is clear. Prioritisation and depth lead to greater success than spreading efforts too thin.