What Top Execs Aren’t Telling You About Their Secret AI Playbook—Revealed by a Google Survey
So AI is no longer just the shiny new gadget in the boardroom—it’s staking serious claim in marketing, security, and customer experience. But here’s the kicker: after surveying 3,500 senior leaders at global companies, Google Cloud’s latest report digs into a question that’s been on everyone’s mind—does AI really pay off? Now, these aren’t small startups; we’re talking businesses with at least $10 million in annual revenue and over a hundred employees leaning on generative AI. Over half of those leaders say AI’s a game-changer for marketing—helping crank out content, analyze data, and polish edits—especially those in media and entertainment. And it’s not just marketing; nearly half report AI boosting cybersecurity by sniffing out cyber threats before they blow up, while close to two-thirds say customer experience is better thanks to AI’s magic touch. But here’s a twist: only 40% see AI directly fattening their bottom line, even though 70% agree it revs up employee productivity. So, is AI the profit powerhouse we hoped for, or just a productivity booster with a bit of hype dialing down? The conversation’s shifting—and fast—from dazzling prospects to actual value. Ready to dive deeper? LEARN MORE
AI is making a mark in marketing, security, and customer experience, according to a new Google Cloud report, which surveyed 3,500 senior leaders at global companies to find a clear use case for AI — and figure out if leaders had seen a return on their AI investments.
Each leader surveyed works for a business that earns at least $10 million in annual revenue, has at least 100 employees, and leverages generative AI. The majority of respondents (55%) indicated that AI was a useful marketing tool, helping them with tasks like data analysis, content generation, and editing. Nearly 60% of executives at media and entertainment firms indicated that AI had a positive impact on their marketing efforts.
Security was also an area where AI was useful to executives, according to the report. AI security tools combat cyberthreats by automatically detecting intruders and analyzing incidents. Almost half of executives (49%) said in the survey that AI helped with cybersecurity. Of that group, 53% stated that AI had diminished the number of security incidents reported in their organizations.
Executives also found that AI improved customer experience. Close to 62% of leaders said that AI had enabled them to deliver better customer service, an increase from 59% of respondents who answered the same survey in 2024. Three in four leaders said customer satisfaction improved as a result of AI this year.
The survey also sought to uncover whether AI had delivered a strong return on investment for organizations. Only 40% of respondents stated that AI had directly caused revenue growth for their companies, but 70% said that AI had made employees more productive.
Google Cloud’s VP of Global Generative AI, Oliver Parker, wrote that the report indicated that AI hype in organizations is calming down.
“The conversation has shifted to value,” he wrote.
The report’s findings contrast with research published last month by MIT, which found that though U.S. businesses have invested up to $40 billion in AI altogether, the overwhelming majority (95%) have yet to see a return on their investments or an impact on profits.
AI is making a mark in marketing, security, and customer experience, according to a new Google Cloud report, which surveyed 3,500 senior leaders at global companies to find a clear use case for AI — and figure out if leaders had seen a return on their AI investments.
Each leader surveyed works for a business that earns at least $10 million in annual revenue, has at least 100 employees, and leverages generative AI. The majority of respondents (55%) indicated that AI was a useful marketing tool, helping them with tasks like data analysis, content generation, and editing. Nearly 60% of executives at media and entertainment firms indicated that AI had a positive impact on their marketing efforts.
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