AI in Businesses: 79% Achieve Returns, But Strategy Lacks
16 December 2025
Artificial intelligence has arrived in companies. This is shown by a recent study by SAP in collaboration with Oxford Economics, which surveyed around 1,600 executives in eight countries (including Germany, China, and the United States).
The result: AI investments are already paying off.
79% of companies report measurable returns from the use of AI within one to three years. On average, companies invest around 26 million US dollars in AI solutions and currently expect a return of about 16% (approximately 4.7 million US dollars). According to the study, this figure is expected to rise to over 30% in the next two years.
At the same time, the study reveals a structural problem.
64% of companies state that employees are using unauthorised AI tools.
Shadow AI is taking over companies
This means that so-called shadow AI has long been part of everyday work. This refers to the use of external AI applications outside official guidelines, without central control or a coordinated data base. Many companies report subsequently encountering erroneous or unreliable results. Additionally, risks such as uncontrolled data sharing and security gaps are mentioned.
And only 9% of companies pursue a clearly defined, holistic AI strategy.
For the majority, the use of AI remains fragmented. 44% describe their approach as a collection of individual measures, 32% as department-driven, and another 15% as situational or ad hoc decisions. A common prioritisation and overarching data base are often lacking as a result.
However, most of the time, it is only done in a sporadic manner, not as a scalable overall system.
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Knowledge is the most effective starting point for AI
AI is particularly successful where knowledge is needed daily. In customer contact. In consulting. But also in internal processes. Everywhere the same questions are asked repeatedly and quick, reliable answers are required.
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homie centralises verified corporate knowledge and makes it readily accessible at all times. For customers as well as for internal teams. Product information, special features, arguments, or processes. Even with very large assortments of over 100,000 products, which no one can fully memorise.
In this way, homie acts as a digital training and knowledge tool. Once properly trained, the knowledge is available permanently. Employees have access to consistent, verified information at any time, regardless of experience, onboarding stage, or day-to-day business.
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