Outperformers prioritize trust and impact over fast innovation. One of the starkest contrasts in the report was the approach top performers took in implementing AI.

While many organizations are experimenting and piloting, outperformers are taking a disciplined, top-down approach. First, they make sure the right leaders are at the table when the AI strategy is set. The report showed 45% have made AI a strategic priority at the executive level, compared to just 14% of their peers. They’re also 2.5X more likely to have embedded AI across workflows instead of focusing on point solutions.

They’re not just planning centrally, though. They’re also prioritizing strong governance. Their first priority is data and privacy security, prioritizing nearly 10 points higher than their peers. The payoff for the centralized approach is trust. The outperformers are consistently willing to allow AI to execute actions with human review, while laggards overwhelmingly believe AI should only provide insights.

With a top-down strategy, focus on embedding AI across workflows, and a heavier investment in governance, it appears outperformers are more willing to trust their AI agents and more likely to see meaningful impact on their operations.