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Microsoft-Backed IDC Study Shows How Frontier Firms Turn AI Into Measurable ROI
A new Microsoft-sponsored IDC study examining more than 4,000 AI decision-makers across 16 countries identifies a category of “Frontier firms” achieving significantly higher returns from generative and agentic AI. Most organizations report 2.8x ROI from generative AI projects and 2.3x ROI from agentic AI, reflecting deeper integration across business workflows rather than isolated pilots.
The report also notes that legacy integration and security governance remain the top barriers for organizations still early in adoption, with almost 30 percent of reporting issues with security, privacy and governance. Key takeaways from this study emphasize how AI is essential in today's times, but that the AI divide is significant. IDC claims that, "achieving sustainable growth and innovation, organizations must develop an AI-fueled operational plan that encompasses strategy, governance and technology."
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Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on November 13, 2025