KPMG survey finds execs worry about AI hype -- but they can address it

AI is more hype, less reality, say three-quarters of the executives surveyed in a 2021 study by KPMG, "Thriving in an AI World: Unlocking the Value of AI across 7 Industries." And half think AI is moving too fast in their industry, even as they wish their company was moving faster. The hurdles to implementing AI are high, from a fundamental misunderstanding of what AI actually is and what it can do, to the significant lack of expertise available to help AI-curious organizations get their footing, says Dr. Ellen Campana, head of enterprise AI at KPMG LLP. "The overhype is a real concern," Campana says. "There are a lot of people trying to get into the game. Many have had a bad experience along the way, because they have put their trust in a group or person that didn't have a lot of experience with AI, or they didn't have a clear understanding of what to expect when launching an AI program."