April 1, 2026

95% of GenAI Pilots Deliver Zero Financial Results

Published: April 1, 2026 at 12:35 AM

Updated: April 1, 2026 at 12:35 AM

100-word summary

Info-Tech Research Group found that approximately 95% of generative AI pilots fail to deliver financial results. Only 16% of AI initiatives have actually scaled beyond testing. The reason? Companies are experimenting broadly without tying projects to measurable cost reductions. CFOs are done waiting: 65% report mounting pressure to show ROI from tech spending. Info-Tech's new blueprint includes a calculator that models savings like $30,000 per year from AI customer service or $12,000 to $30,000 per developer using code generation tools. The shift from "let's try AI on everything" to "show me the money or kill the project" is finally here.

What happened

Info-Tech Research Group found that approximately 95% of generative AI pilots fail to deliver financial results. Only 16% of AI initiatives have actually scaled beyond testing. The reason? Companies are experimenting broadly without tying projects to measurable cost reductions. CFOs are done waiting: 65% report mounting pressure to show ROI from tech spending. Info-Tech's new blueprint includes a calculator that models savings like $30,000 per year from AI customer service or $12,000 to $30,000 per developer using code generation tools.

Why it matters

The shift from "let's try AI on everything" to "show me the money or kill the project" is finally here.

Sources