AI has become a top driver of productivity gains for UK and Irish business leaders, but turning those gains into measurable business performance remains the defining operational excellence challenge. The EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey, conducted with 100 UK CEOs in August and September 2026, finds half cite AI-enabled tools among their organisation's top three productivity drivers over the past 12 months. Yet only 14% have real-time visibility of AI costs and return on investment, and 32% report significant gaps in assessing ROI.

The survey is a process improvement audit as much as a productivity report. Silvia Rindone, EY-Parthenon UK and Ireland Managing Partner, framed the shift precisely: the AI conversation has moved from adoption to impact, and CEOs now want clear evidence that their investment is delivering stronger productivity and measurable business value. The operational foundations to capture that value are what separate leaders from laggards.

The productivity picture is encouraging but incomplete. Greater output without increased headcount or capital is the leading benefit, cited by 34% of UK CEOs, ahead of faster delivery at 19% and more time for higher-value work at 15%. Some 34% identified legacy technology and operating models as the biggest obstacle to converting productivity gains into measurable business value, followed by organisational complexity and regulation at 29%.

The reinvestment signal is the most significant indicator of strategic intent. Some 44% of UK CEOs are reinvesting productivity gains to drive growth, innovation, or business transformation. Rindone noted that businesses need the right operating models, processes, and skills to turn productivity improvements into sustainable value, and that CEOs must now align capital, technology, and talent to convert AI gains into competitive advantage.

The workforce management dimension is the most urgent constraint ahead. Some 74% of UK CEOs expect skills shortages to become a greater barrier to growth than access to capital within three years, and 71% believe AI will have a greater impact on roles and ways of working than on headcount. Yet 47% admit their organisation is not developing workforce skills quickly enough to keep pace with AI innovation.

Three operational priorities emerge from the EY-Parthenon findings. First, build real-time AI cost and ROI visibility: only 14% of CEOs have it, yet it is the foundation of evidence-based reinvestment decisions. Second, resolve legacy technology and operating model barriers before expanding AI further. Third, accelerate workforce reskilling: the 47% who admit they are falling behind have a specific, measurable gap to close.

The EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey confirms that AI's productivity dividend is real and growing for Irish and UK organisations. Those that build the right operational foundations, governance, and skills around their AI investments will be best placed to convert that productivity into durable competitive advantage.