Why Most Businesses Miss the Real AI Payoff

A recent RBA report found that most firms expect long-term results from AI, but aren’t sure how to actually change workflows or roles. Many get stuck running small pilot projects that never move beyond team level. McKinsey’s research shows it’s only the few companies willing to rethink how they’re organised that see real value from AI.

Here’s what gets missed in the headlines: productivity gains come when organisations update their structures, not just technology. Who makes decisions? How do teams share information? Who is responsible for what? These things need real focus when AI comes into play.

When AI takes over routine tasks that used to need managers, we have to shift authority to those who set up and check the systems. Performance reviews and rewards need updating too—judging and correcting become just as important as delivering output.

Too often, companies invest in tech but don’t rethink how people fit in. Without changes to processes, information flows, and incentives, AI is just another experiment. The challenge is to create workplaces—and rules—that let us adapt, try new approaches, and reorganise where needed.

The lesson is simple: companies that want to benefit from AI can’t just add new software. They need to look closely at how work gets done, and be brave enough to reshape roles, teams, and responsibilities. That’s where the real productivity gains happen.

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