Bridging the AI ROI Divide: Lessons for Middle Management

In the early 2020s, generative artificial intelligence (AI) promised to transform knowledge work. The public release of large language models showed that machines could generate coherent text, code, and images at scale, sparking enthusiasm across industries. Organizations invested billions of dollars into AI pilots and exploration. However, a growing number of surveys and studies reveal that only a small portion of these projects deliver a measurable return on investment (ROI).