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The AI 'UNLESS' Report: From Hype to ROI

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AI doesn’t live up to the hype, UNLESS…

The AI 'UNLESS' Report: From Hype to ROI

C-suite insights on unlocking business value from AI

Recent research shows that 95% of generative AI investments are producing zero value, UNLESS they start with a foundation of automation.

eBook cover image: The AI 'Unless' Report: From Hype to ROI
Infographic highlighting Nintex research: despite $30–40B spent on generative AI, 95% of initiatives show zero ROI unless built on an automation foundation.

The big UNLESS

Despite $30–40 billion in business investment thus far, 95% of generative AI initiatives are generating no return: Zero. 

Not. A. Thing.  

However, new original research from Nintex shows that the zero return on AI seems to apply UNLESS the organization starts with automation as a foundation.

C-suite insights to unlocking ROI from AI

Infographic showing 95% of organizations rate AI plus automation initiatives as effective, highlighting strong consensus.

Insight 1

ROI from AI starts with automation

AI may be the brain, but automation is the muscle — and agentic business orchestration connects it all for business momentum.

Infographic showing 84% believe automation is a necessary first step for successful AI implementation.

Insight 2

Automation is a prerequisite for scalable AI

Automation lays the groundwork for AI to scale across workflows, functions, and departments by standardizing processes, ensuring data quality, and enabling strategic expansion.

Infographic showing 40% of organizations use governance improvement or data quality as success metrics alongside ROI, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

Insight 3

AI governance and control need an automation foundation

Automated workflows act as guardrails for AI, ensuring compliance, transparency, and audit readiness while reducing governance risks.

Find out why 84% of CIO and CFO respondents agree that automation is a necessary first step before implementing AI in business processes.

Infographic showing 64% of organizations aim to embed or consolidate AI into a broader automation strategy.

Get the global C-suite's best advice on AI and automation

  1. How to transform employee skill limits from barriers to opportunities. 
  2. How to plan for AI key performance indicators from the start 
  3. How to make governance a value center 
  4. How to bridge the gap of UNLESS with agentic business orchestration 

Plus, learn the top implementation regrets shared by IT leaders (and how Nintex can help prevent them).

purple background pattern

Testimonial

I achieved a 10% increase in revenue over the last quarter by streamlining processes and improving client engagement and also saved approximately 5 hours per week through automation and workflow optimizations. 

Infographic stating the future of AI and automation is agentic business orchestration, showing a signpost from AI + automation toward this new model.

Discover the power of an agentic business orchestration platform

Remove the limits from your AI strategy to: 

  • UNleash the power of process intelligence  
  • UNlock efficiency with workflow orchestration  
  • UNcover the potential of purpose-built solutions 
  • UNderstand the true power of governance
  • UNite humans, systems, and AI agents in one platform

That’s the power of UNLESS.’ 

Preview the future of AI and automation

AI alone may create speed and furious activity, but automation is what makes it scalable, governable, and profitable. Learn how agentic business orchestration unlocks the next era of AI-driven operations.

Three professionals in business attire have a discussion around a table. Two women are looking at and interacting with a tablet, while a man listens attentively. The setting appears to be a bright, modern office.

See for yourself

Put Nintex to the test

Because seeing is believing, let us give you a firsthand look at how Nintex can work for you.