FOSTER CITY, Calif., Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new report from Coupa, a leader in AI platforms for Total Spend Management, reveals that 80% of companies prefer purchasing unified AI platforms rather than building AI tools in-house or relying on disparate point solutions. The findings stem from the Coupa Clarity AI Impact Report, developed in partnership with Incisiv Research, which surveyed over 600 business leaders to highlight obstacles hindering AI initiatives from realizing their expected return on investment (ROI).
The research indicates that the primary challenge is not the technology itself, but rather a significant disconnect in AI expertise among executives. This skills gap creates a strategic void between decision-makers who fund AI projects and the teams responsible for their implementation, leaving many initiatives either stalled in pilot phases or incomplete.
The report exposes a clear disparity between organizational ambition and actual execution in AI integration. While a notable 86% of companies recognize the importance of AI for survival, only 29% have established a comprehensive company-wide strategy for its implementation. Compounding this issue, a mere 5% of executive decision-makers utilize AI daily, in stark contrast to 57% of technical teams, underscoring a fluency gap that complicates goal setting and strategic planning.
Moreover, approximately 72% of AI projects remain trapped in pilot mode, despite 47% of executives anticipating significant business returns within 6 to 12 months. A considerable 77% of organizations cite data quality and system integration challenges, particularly with legacy IT systems, as primary barriers to achieving meaningful results.
“This research serves as a wake-up call. The days of funding AI based on hypothetical results or unproven potential are over,” said Dennis Bruder, Chief Product Officer of AI at Coupa. “Decision-makers are now looking for technology that can drive tangible value. To meet ambitious projections—such as 69% of organizations expecting significant AI-powered automation by 2030 and 83% by 2035—executive leaders must shift from theoretical commitment to practical strategies, focusing on unified platforms that offer both necessary technical infrastructure and embedded governance for workforce adoption.”
The shift towards unified AI solutions is becoming evident as organizations seek to bridge execution gaps and prioritize speed and proven time-to-value. The findings show that 80% of companies now favor external AI solutions and unified platforms, while only 10% opt for developing custom internal tools. Despite this shift, only 2% of AI investments are allocated to orchestration, even as 77% of leaders emphasize the need for simple task automation. This indicates a critical failure to advance beyond isolated AI tools toward achieving comprehensive enterprise-wide AI value.
While 65% of executives prefer “human-in-the-loop” oversight to alleviate concerns about critical errors, more than half, or 56%, are uncertain if their companies have established a governance policy for AI. Without strict governance frameworks, the necessary human oversight may become a bottleneck that further impedes automation efforts.
The gap between AI ambition and genuine ROI stems from the realization that successful implementation requires more than mere theoretical commitment. It calls for executives to move beyond isolated task automation and harness the full potential of unified AI platforms that orchestrate value across the organization.
The complete Coupa Clarity AI Impact Report offers a roadmap for organizations aiming to transition from experimental phases to full-scale ROI. For more detailed insights, the report is available for download.
About Coupa – Coupa leads the way in AI for total spend management, utilizing a trusted community-generated dataset valued at $8 trillion. The platform connects over 10 million buyers and suppliers, aiming to automate the procurement process seamlessly. Learn more at coupa.com.
About Incisiv – Incisiv is an executive network and insights firm that assists consumer industry executives in navigating digital disruption. The firm provides curated executive learning and transformation insights across various sectors. Visit incisiv.com for more information.
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