A small group of companies is capturing the vast majority of economic value generated by artificial intelligence, according to a new global study by PwC.
The report, based on interviews with 1,217 senior executives across 25 industries, finds that nearly three quarters of total AI-driven value is concentrated among just 20% of organisations. The findings point to a growing divide between leading adopters and the majority of firms that remain at pilot stage.
Companies with the strongest performance are not simply deploying more AI tools. Instead, they are using the technology to drive business transformation, unlock new revenue streams and capitalise on opportunities created by industry convergence. These organisations are also building robust foundations in data management, governance and trust.
Growth, not just productivity, sets leaders apart
The study highlights that top-performing companies treat AI as a catalyst for reinvention rather than a tool for efficiency alone. They are reshaping business models and expanding beyond traditional sector boundaries.
Leaders in AI are up to 2.6 times more likely to report that the technology is supporting business model reinvention, and two to three times more likely to use it to pursue growth opportunities linked to cross-industry convergence.
According to PwC, this convergence is emerging as the most powerful driver of economic returns from AI, surpassing gains linked purely to productivity improvements.
Trust and automation drive performance
The research also identifies clear differences in how leading companies integrate AI into their operations. Organisations capturing the greatest value are nearly twice as likely to deploy advanced use cases, including multi-step task execution within defined safety frameworks and autonomous process optimisation.
They are also increasing the number of decisions made without human intervention at nearly three times the rate of their peers.
This progress is underpinned by what the report describes as “trust at scale”. Leading firms are more likely to have formal Responsible AI frameworks and cross-functional governance structures in place, strengthening confidence among employees. As a result, staff in these organisations are twice as likely to rely on AI-generated outputs.
Performance gap set to widen
Without a shift in strategy, the gap between AI leaders and those falling behind is expected to widen further. Companies at the forefront are learning faster, scaling successful use cases and automating critical decisions more effectively, reinforcing their competitive advantage.