BearingPoint report finds scaling AI the biggest hurdle for Irish firms

Only 4 % of Irish organisations that have implemented artificial intelligence say they have fully achieved their scaling objectives, according to a new BearingPoint report, compared with 13 % elsewhere.

The study, titled “Scaling AI for Measurable Impact”, surveyed 1,050 C‑suite executives and senior leaders across 13 countries, including Europe, the United States and China, to examine the link between AI investment and measurable value in both public and private sectors.

Partner Gerard Hayes of BearingPoint Ireland said the findings show that while AI maturity is improving, deep enterprise integration remains rare. He noted that many firms can launch pilots successfully, but moving from pilot to secure, responsible, and consistent enterprise‑wide deployment is the harder challenge.

Key challenges identified

The report warns of an “AI productivity trap”: faster processes and automated routine tasks do not automatically translate into stronger financial performance. Sustainable value depends on connecting AI investment with financial accountability, trusted data, scalable architecture, workforce adaptation, governance and measurable outcomes.

Hayes highlighted the need for organisations to balance speed and agility with the discipline required to establish foundations for scale, warning that moving too quickly without proper governance, data ownership and regulatory compliance can lead to delays and rework, while moving too slowly risks losing competitive advantage.

The research underscores that the next major hurdle for AI adopters is not merely proving value, but scaling that value across the enterprise.

Source: Silicon Republic. Photo: Pixabay / Pexels.