New Cognizant Research Reveals $4.7 Trillion in Untapped AI Value Across G2000

Organizations that pair mature technology infrastructure with a fundamentals-first AI investment strategy outperform laggards by 31% on composite outcomes—and could unlock trillions in unrealized value across the G2000

TEANECK, N.J., June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) today released new research showing that AI's real-world results depend less on the technology itself than on the maturity of a company's tech infrastructure and where it directs its investment. The companies getting this right are generating financial returns measurable in the billions.

The study, "Closing the AI Execution Gap: A $2 Billion Business Boost," surveyed 1,100 senior business leaders at Global 2000 companies and 100 startups across 10 industries. Its central finding is stark: two-thirds of leaders have yet to demonstrate measurable business productivity gains from AI, and one in four have already paused or abandoned AI deployments—with an estimated average of $2 billion in unrealized cost savings and revenue opportunity.

The research identifies a clear set of behaviors that separates the top performers from the rest.

31% — The performance gap between the highest- and lowest-performing AI segments on composite outcomes.

$1B–$2B — Estimated annual returns available to a typical G2000 company that moves from the weakest to the strongest performing segment.

$4.7T — Total unrealized annual value across the G2000 when worker productivity, business productivity, revenue and cost reduction are included.

60% — How much more likely organizations with immature infrastructure and broad AI investment are to abandon a deployment versus those with the same infrastructure who invest in AI fundamentals first.

27% — Productivity advantage held by organizations with strong data foundations versus those still working to improve theirs.

"The evidence in this research could not be more direct: companies that build on a mature technology foundation and invest in AI fundamentals first are already generating billions in returns that their competitors are leaving on the table," said Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S. "This is the AI Builder dividend and it is real, it is quantifiable, and it is widening. Two-thirds of organizations have yet to move the needle on business productivity from AI. That is not a capability gap in technology. That is an execution gap. Cognizant exists precisely to close it. We help companies do the work that unlocks AI value: strengthening compute infrastructure, building data foundations that AI can trust, and deploying the focused investment strategies that turn AI's potential into verifiable, compounding returns."

The research shows organizations can continue to improve their AI outcomes through building technical and data foundations, focusing investment strategies, and leveraging strong external partnerships where needed:

ABOUT COGNIZANT

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization's unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

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SOURCE Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation