How Companies Can Turn AI Experimentation Into Business Results

Fiona Ashley, VP and head of spend product marketing at SAP Concur, explains what separates AI experimentation from measurable impact.

BY INC. CUSTOM STUDIO

By now, most large enterprises have embraced AI as a vital growth factor. However, among small to midsize businesses (SMBs), there is a gap between those that merely adopt AI and those that are using it strategically to fuel growth. According to this year’s Inc. 5000 CEO Survey, 88 percent of respondents say AI is at least somewhat important to achieving their revenue goals over the next year. Yet only 35 percent consider it highly important today. 

“That tells me the ambition is there, but companies are still at different points in their AI maturity,” says Fiona Ashley, VP and head of spend product marketing at SAP Concur, noting that this gap reflects where companies stand with technology. “The conversation [has] really shifted from ‘Should we use AI?’ to ‘How do we get measurable value from AI?’”

The survey data also revealed that business leaders want greater confidence before making major technology investments. Respondents ranked factors such as proven ROI and easier integration well ahead of pricing, vendor reputation, or AI transparency as the capabilities that would most increase confidence in new technology purchases.

To close this confidence gap, growth-minded companies are figuring out how to move from AI experimentation to practical applications that deliver measurable value. Ashley recommends leaders always begin with familiar business problems they are........

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