Unlocking the ROI of AI: How enterprises can move from experimentation to execution

Despite the buzz surrounding AI, many organizations struggle to move beyond experimentation and pilot programs to fully scale AI across their enterprises. According to recent industry research conducted by EXL, while 96% of organizations believe scaling their AI initiatives over the next year is very important, companies have successfully integrated AI into less than half their workflows. Less than half report achieving their desired outcomes with AI as well.

This gap between ambition and execution is precisely what EXL, a global data and AI company, is addressing with its flagship virtual event, AI in Action 2026. Scheduled to take place across three regions, March 11 for the Americas, March 18 for EMEA, and March 24 for APAC, this event will dive into how agentic AI is reimagining data, intelligence, and enterprise workflows.

The challenges of scaling AI

The promise of AI is undeniable. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, AI has the potential to transform how businesses operate. However, the journey from proof of concept to enterprise-wide implementation is fraught with challenges.

One of the most significant hurdles is embedding AI into existing workflows, many of which need to be redesigned in order to fully take advantage of AI, particularly as agentic AI systems increasingly operate business processes with greater autonomy. According to EXL’s upcoming 2026 Enterprise AI Study, only 45% of organizational workflows currently have AI embedded.

Many organizations also find themselves grappling with siloed data and a lack of AI-ready infrastructure, enabling them to embed intelligence into their workflows. This underscores the need for a more strategic approach to AI adoption, one that goes beyond isolated use cases and focuses on scaling AI to deliver consistent, measurable outcomes and to support agentic AI that can continuously learn, adapt, and enhance performance.

Another challenge is orchestrating multiple AI agents, autonomous systems capable of making decisions and taking actions without human intervention. While these agents hold immense potential, their deployment requires robust governance frameworks to ensure ethical and responsible use, which is strengthened through shared standards and best practices across our partner ecosystem.

From ambition to execution

While pilots and proofs of concepts are an important first step, AI’s true potential is unlocked when it becomes part of how work gets done every day, not as a bolt-on or point solution, with agentic AI embedded into core workflows to connect data, intelligence, and action in real-time, supported by integrated partner technologies and co-innovation models.

It’s essential to prioritize the most critical workflows and adapt them for the AI era by embedding intelligence at scale, governing AI responsibly, and transforming innovation into lasting business value.

AI in Action 2026 is designed to help organizations navigate this complex journey. The event will feature a keynote on innovation, disruption, and business value, delivered by EXL Chairman and CEO Rohit Kapoor and Jon McNeill, former president of Tesla, Inc. and COO of Lyft. McNeill, now the CEO and co-founder of DVx Ventures, brings a wealth of experience in scaling technology-driven businesses.

Practical insights and real-world use cases

One of the standout features of AI in Action 2026 is its focus on practicality. The event is tailored for CXOs, CIOs, CTOs, and technology and data executives who are looking for actionable strategies to scale AI within their organizations, on how to deploy agentic AI to orchestrate data, AI, and workflows at enterprise scale, leveraging solutions developed jointly with leading partners.

The agenda includes specialized sessions on:

• Reimagining data science and workflows with agentic AI: Learn how to identify high-impact workflows and reimagine them for the AI era.
• Getting your data house in order: Discover how to make data AI-ready and overcome common challenges related to data silos and legacy systems.

In addition to these sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to see real-world demonstrations. Together, these sessions will provide valuable insights into the strategies, tools, and frameworks that have proven effective in driving ROI from AI investments.

Why AI in Action matters

The timing of AI in Action 2026 couldn’t be more critical. As businesses face increasing pressure to innovate and stay competitive, the ability to scale AI has become a key differentiator. However, achieving this requires more than just technology; it demands a holistic approach that orchestrates AI with domain expertise, robust data management, and the ability to execute at scale.

By bringing together industry leaders, hyperscalers, technology experts, and real-world practitioners, AI in Action 2026 aims to bridge the gap between ambition and execution. The event is about showcasing the potential of AI and equipping organizations with the tools and knowledge they need to turn that potential into reality, with partners playing a critical role in turning vision into execution.

Looking ahead

As the world becomes increasingly data-driven, the role of agentic AI in shaping the future of business cannot be overstated. However, unlocking the full value of AI requires a shift in mindset, from viewing AI as a standalone solution to embedding it into the very fabric of how work gets done. Agentic AI will serve as the connective layer between data, intelligence, and orchestration—with a strong partner ecosystem ensuring these capabilities scale with confidence.

AI in Action 2026 offers a unique opportunity for business and technology leaders to gain practical insights, learn from real-world examples, and connect with peers who are navigating similar challenges. With a focus on moving from experimentation to execution, this event is poised to be a game-changer for organizations looking to scale AI and drive measurable business value.

To learn more about AI in Action 2026 and register for the event in the region of your choice, visit here.

About the author: Vishal Chhibbar is executive vice president, chief growth officer, and head of international growth markets at EXL, a global data and AI company.