Exclusive: Companies struggle to scale AI tools
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Companies are struggling to scale AI beyond experimentation, according to a survey of 123 senior operators and executives in the Operator Collective network, a venture firm focused on enterprise AI.
Why it matters: The question is no longer whether to use AI, but how quickly companies can integrate it into their workflows.
The big picture: The survey found text-based AI tools are now standard. About 90% reported adopting general-use chatbots.
- Integrating AI into existing business workflows is moving slower, Anna Jacobson, the author of the study, told Axios.
What they're saying: "People believe in the transformational potential [of AI], but in most cases, it really is potential right now, and the path to realization is long and difficult," Jacobson says.
State of play: The major AI labs are all developing workplace tools.
- Anthropic's Claude Cowork offers several plugins to train AI on specific work tasks.
- Last month OpenAI launched Frontier, an interface aimed at managing AI coworkers.
- Google's Gemini for work lets users automate and deploy AI tools throughout the Google suite.
Between the lines: Fewer than half answered a question about AI returns on investment. Of those who did, 40% said they haven't established metrics.
- The lack of response "in and of itself is a response," Jacobson said.
- Many who responded pointed to usage as proof of return. AI-native companies described the tech as "inseparable from core operations."
By the numbers: The bottleneck isn't the tech. It's workers trying to use it and figure out how to measure it as it rapidly evolves.
- 32% say time is the biggest challenge for AI implementation.
- One respondent noted: "It moves so quickly right now — I need to spend more time learning all of the new tools & applying them to our business."
Bottom line: The tools may be ready, but the people aren't there yet.
