Avanade Trendlines: AI Value Report 2025

AI is shaping the future of organizations of all sizes, in all sectors. And mid-market organizations—renowned for speed, innovation and resilience—are charging ahead. Cost-conscious and growth-focused, these organizations may have less capital than larger competitors, but that doesn’t mean they’re short on ambition.

Organizations are diving into AI with confidence, with most pumping up budgets and expecting up to a fourfold return on investment (ROI) within 12 months.

The outlook for ROI hinges on productivity and cost savings, with 84% believing that AI investments aim to replace employees. However, it’s clear that the AI value equation is still being figured out—with few measuring value in this way and half working on the business case.

The urgency to create value is palpable—85% worry their organization will fall behind if they do not fast track AI. This need for speed is reflected in how organizations are implementing AI, with most taking an approach that is out-of-the-box or isolated to specific functions. At the same time, the desire to accelerate is compromised by essential AI groundwork across people, data and tech.