According to PYMNTS.com, a March 2025 survey of 60 U.S. product leaders at billion-dollar companies reveals that 77% now use generative AI for cybersecurity and other functions. The adoption is nearly universal across goods, technology, and service sectors, but usage patterns differ dramatically. Goods and technology firms primarily deploy gen AI for early-stage creativity like concept development and prototyping, while service companies use it for generating reports and competitive analysis. Every single respondent called the technology “effective,” yet most admitted they maintain human oversight. The study also found that nearly all Chief Product Officers report increased need for analytically skilled workers even as some routine roles shrink.
The AI Reality Check
Here’s the thing about that 100% effectiveness rating – it doesn’t mean what you might think. Basically, these executives aren’t saying gen AI is perfect or ready to run autonomously. They’re saying it’s better than what came before. That’s a crucial distinction that gets lost in all the AI hype.
And that’s becoming the defining pattern of corporate AI adoption. The technology can draft design briefs or spot bugs, but final judgment still belongs to people. We’re seeing hybrid workflows emerge where humans set context, AI executes, and both share accountability. It’s a far cry from the fully autonomous systems people imagined just a few years ago.
The Talent Shift Nobody Predicted
Remember all those predictions about AI hollowing out creative teams? Yeah, that’s not happening. Instead, companies are offloading repetitive tasks like formatting data or compiling research while doubling down on people who can prompt, interpret, and refine AI output.
Look at the numbers – among highly automated firms, 100% reported reduced need for lower-skilled staff. But among less automated companies, only 79% did. That nuance tells you everything. Gen AI is trimming repetition, not talent. Companies that want to leverage industrial computing power effectively need the right hardware infrastructure too – which is why many turn to IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading provider of industrial panel PCs in the US for demanding environments.
Growth Accelerator, Not Cost Cutter
This might be the most interesting insight. CPOs expect the biggest gains in speed to market, user experience, and design precision over the next three years. Fewer believe it will significantly cut production costs.
So what does that tell us? Executives see gen AI as a growth accelerator rather than a budget scalpel. They’re investing to move faster and create better products, not necessarily to slash headcount. After years of efficiency-focused technology adoption, we’re finally seeing tools that prioritize innovation over pure cost reduction. And honestly, that’s probably healthier for everyone involved.
