EMEA firms push on with AI pilots even as payoff doubts grow

"Despite a growing number of reports that AI is not benefiting many businesses, Lenovo and IDC say that firms in EMEA are pushing ahead with pilot deployments and still expect it to drive growth and transform how they operate. Lenovo's newly-published CIO Playbook 2026 claims that enterprises across Europe and the Middle East are accelerating their adoption of AI and view it as a key business enabler as they seek speedier growth and better business outcomes."

"Based on research carried out by IDC, the report says that some organizations are projecting average returns of $2.78 for every dollar invested in AI projects, but there are considerable challenges to realizing this goal. These include employee skills, having the right infrastructure, robust data security, sovereignty, and governance measures. The report makes it clear that AI is not just one technology, but an umbrella term that covers things such as predictive and interpretive AI, as well as the generative"

Enterprises across Europe and the Middle East are accelerating AI adoption and view it as a strategic enabler for faster growth and improved outcomes. Some organizations project average returns of $2.78 for every dollar invested in AI projects, while facing significant obstacles such as employee skills gaps, insufficient infrastructure, and the need for strong data security, sovereignty, and governance. AI spans multiple types, including predictive, interpretive, generative, and agentic technologies. Roughly 60 percent of companies report piloting or running proofs of concept or adopting AI systematically. Initial AI use is concentrated in IT areas like cybersecurity and software development, with expanding applications in R&D, operations, customer service, and marketing.

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