PR Newswire·Jun 25, 2026, 5:58 AM ET

CEOs and CIOs Differ Sharply on AI Business Impact and Transformation Success, Protiviti Survey Finds

A Protiviti Global Transformation Survey conducted with the University of Oxford reveals significant executive misalignment between CEOs & technology leaders regarding AI value realization & transformation outcomes.
The survey of 852 global C-suite executives found a strong correlation between executive alignment & technological maturity, with aligned organizations reporting higher confidence in achieving transformation goals.
CIOs & CTOs report 61% confidence in transformation outcomes compared to only 34% among CEOs & boards, while early-stage organizations show confidence scores below 20% and advanced stages exceed 70%.
40% of COOs identify AI as the capability with the greatest potential to drive revenue growth, distinguishing them as the most enthusiastic executive group regarding AI.
CEOs & boards remain skeptical about AI's business impact, with only 30% confidence that AI is driving revenue growth versus 61% among technology leaders.
Data platforms, governance, workforce skill gaps, & varying perceptions of cyber threats are identified as critical foundational barriers to transformation success.
Recommendations to close the alignment gap include defining shared success metrics, strengthening communication on AI risks & outcomes, & aligning investment strategies with long-term objectives.
The survey methodology involved responses from 852 C-suite executives globally during the first quarter of 2026.