AI and the Six Things Directors Must Do to Stop Dabbling and Start Winning
Australian Financial Review
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 5 Feb 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 6 Feb 2026, 05:00 am
Description
A survey by McKinsey has found that while 88 per cent of organisations use AI, only 6 per cent attribute even a small proportion of their earnings to the technology.
Summary
A survey by McKinsey highlights that while a high percentage of organizations utilize AI, only a minor fraction report measurable financial benefits from it. The article outlines criticisms from experts like Dawid Naude, noting that many Australian companies are still in the early stages of AI adoption, often feeling overwhelmed by the complexity and noise surrounding AI technologies. It suggests actionable steps for directors to effectively harness AI potential within their businesses. However, the discussion focuses on corporate strategy and does not elaborate on AI safety or catastrophic risks, making its relevance to broader AI governance frameworks limited.
Body
Sally PattenBOSS editorFeb 5, 2026 – 5.00amAsk artificial intelligence consultant Dawid Naude to describe most Australian companies’ use of AI, and words such as “dabbling” and “overwhelmed” drop quickly from his mouth.“I really feel like everybody’s in the same place, which is dabbling. They’re overwhelmed. There’s so much noise coming at them the whole time,” Naude says.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreBOSSAIChange managementHiringAtlassianMcKinseyMicrosoftOpenAISally PattenBOSS editorSally Patten edits BOSS, and writes about workplace issues. She was the financial services editor and personal finance editor of the AFR, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. She edited business news for The Times of London. Connect with Sally on Twitter. Email Sally at spatten@afr.comFetching latest articles