74% of CEOs Risk Job Loss Without Measurable AI Gains, Report Finds

A staggering 74% of global CEOs admit they risk losing their jobs within two years if they fail to deliver measurable AI-driven business gains, according to the newly released “Global AI Confessions Report: CEO Edition” by Dataiku, the Universal AI Platform. The study, conducted by The Harris Poll for Dataiku, highlights the shifting corporate landscape, where AI strategy has become the key to business survival.

The findings signal a dramatic shift in executive accountability, with 70% of CEOs predicting that by the end of the year, at least one of their peers will be ousted due to a failed AI strategy or AI-induced crisis. Over half of CEOs (54%) also revealed that a competitor has already deployed a more effective AI strategy, underscoring the need for businesses to transition from AI ambitions to actionable results.

AI’s Growing Influence on Corporate Leadership

The report highlights a radical transformation in corporate leadership, with AI now challenging traditional decision-making roles. Key findings include:

• 94% of CEOs agree that an AI agent could provide equally or better business counsel than a human board member.
• 89% believe AI could create a more effective strategic plan than one or more of their executive leaders.

As AI’s influence expands, it’s not only reshaping strategy but also questioning the very foundation of corporate governance, prompting CEOs to reconsider who or what should make critical business decisions in the future.

CEO Blind Spots: The Risks of “AI Washing” and the “AI Commodity Trap”

Despite increasing reliance on AI, many CEOs are still unaware of the risks associated with poorly executed AI strategies:

• 87% of CEOs fall into the “AI commodity trap,” believing off-the-shelf AI agents are as effective as custom-built solutions for domain-specific applications.
• 35% of AI initiatives are suspected to be “AI washing,” designed more for appearances than real business impact.
• 94% of CEOs suspect employees are using GenAI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Midjourney without company approval, a phenomenon known as “shadow AI,” exposing a significant governance gap.

AI Governance Challenges and Regulatory Uncertainty

The report also underscores the challenges posed by poor AI governance and regulatory uncertainty:

• 80% of CEOs worry that AI deployments could inadvertently harm employees, while 83% fear harm to customers.
• 37% of CEOs admit that their AI projects have been delayed due to regulatory uncertainty.
• 32% of CEOs have had their AI projects canceled or abandoned due to similar concerns.

Florian Douetteau, co-founder and CEO of Dataiku, emphasized, “For CEOs today, every AI decision feels like a high-stakes gamble that can drive competitive dominance or lead to costly consequences. The only way to turn AI into an enduring advantage is to assert greater control and governance.”

AI: A Core Focus for CEO and Company Survival

With 78% of CEOs prioritizing AI strategy as a core business goal for 2025, and 83% acknowledging AI’s impact on investor confidence, the message is clear: CEOs must turn AI intent into measurable outcomes, or risk becoming part of the next wave of executive turnover. AI is no longer optional—it’s the defining factor for both CEO and company survival.