The 28th PwC Global CEO Survey reveals that generative artificial intelligence (AI) has firmly established itself as a critical component of business strategies worldwide. Among the 4,701 CEOs from 109 countries surveyed, one-third reported that generative AI boosted their companies’ revenue and profitability over the past year, and nearly half expect their investments in this technology to further increase profits in the next 12 months.
When focusing on executives in the insurance and reinsurance sector, 27% of respondents reported a revenue increase due to generative AI. Additionally, these leaders are notably more optimistic about their companies’ revenue growth in the coming year (56%) compared to the global average (38%).
Overall, more than half (56%) of business leaders indicated that generative AI has improved employees’ time efficiency, underscoring the growing automation of routine tasks. This shift allows teams to focus on higher-value activities, driving productivity and innovation.
However, the adoption of generative AI is not without challenges. A lack of trust in the technology remains a significant obstacle to broader implementation. Currently, fewer than one-third of CEOs are systematically integrating AI into their teams’ capabilities, highlighting the need for stronger strategies to build trust and competence in utilizing these emerging tools.
Overall, CEOs are increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. Nearly 60% of global executives expect global economic growth to rise over the next 12 months, a significant jump from 38% last year. This optimism also extends to employment expectations, with 42% of CEOs planning to expand their workforce.
