AI gains are emerging, but CEOs say true transformation is harder to come by as agents help companies

Gains Without Deep Change

Executives at large US companies report early benefits from AI agents, but relatively few say the technology has fundamentally reshaped their businesses. Tim Walsh, KPMG US’s CEO and chair, described a gap between adopting AI and reworking a company’s operations.

Walsh said companies seeking broader change often need to revise business processes, make data usable and bring in engineers to automate workflows. These steps go beyond introducing AI tools to existing work.

Workforce Plans Are Shifting

Walsh said KPMG US needs more engineers and data scientists. He also noted that although AI can take on some tasks previously done by people, the technology has limits.

The survey pointed to skills gaps, training employees to use AI tools, and attracting and retaining talent as major workforce challenges. KPMG has also piloted an audit-intern program centered on human skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and team leadership.

Hiring Views Have Varied

The survey’s hiring outlook is more positive than comments some executives have made in recent months. Some CEOs have said AI will let companies manage with fewer employees, while others have predicted greater demand in fields such as software engineering. Walsh’s remarks reflect the mix of expectations: AI may take over certain work, while companies still need people with technical expertise and skills that support collaboration.

Investment Remains A Priority

The spending plans come as many companies weigh how to turn early gains into changes to the way they operate. Walsh said that doing so requires work on processes, data and automation—not just adopting the technology.