Big AI Spending, Small Returns — And How to Change That

Artificial intelligence investments continue to surge—but in too many cases, the returns are disappointing. A new report from The Observer cites McKinsey’s findings that over 80 percent of companies using AI aren’t seeing real earnings gains yet  . And according to the Financial Times, tech giants like Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft boosted capital spending by $95 billion in 2024, with another $75 billion planned—yet the ROI remains minimal. The New York times recently reported that companies spent $62 billion on AI this year, yet 80% saw no return. That aligns with what we frequently observe at Yocum Technology Group (YTG): ambitious AI projects often lack clarity and structure, resulting in high-cost efforts with little payoff.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

At YTG, we help organizations make AI work—by making smart choices from Day One. Here’s how:

1. Start Small with High-Impact Processes

AI initiatives shouldn’t begin with grand transformations. Identify one high-friction or repetitive task—maybe invoice processing, customer inquiries, or report generation—and focus your first AI use case there. This approach delivers quick wins, builds internal confidence, and provides tangible proof of value, setting the stage for smarter, scalable AI without overshooting budgets.

2. Focus on High-Value Language Tasks

For many companies, text and language workloads—like translation, contract review, legal summarization, or customer support ticket triage—are both costly and labor-intensive. These are precisely the areas where AI excels. By deploying generative AI in these domains, organizations can cut expenses, boost turnaround times, and reduce error rates almost immediately.

AI doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing gamble. By choosing narrow yet impactful applications, you can unlock measurable advantages without the complexities of sweeping transformation.

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At YTG, we treat AI not as a flashy experiment, but as a practical tool to accelerate business. If you’d like to explore how we can help you identify your first AI use case or target high-value language workflows, contact us. Let’s turn AI from a costly gamble into a strategic advantage—together.