Organizations expect a perfect success rate from agentic AI investments, with no companies in North America or Western Europe predicting failure.

The graphics you see above show the estimated ROI for every $1 spent on agentic AI projects or initiatives. The data comes from IDC’s 2025 Business Opportunity of AI Survey. 

It was accessed through the

The survey of 1,234 organizations shows that 65% worldwide estimate returns of 2x to 3x per dollar spent on autonomous AI agents, a surprisingly narrow range across different regions. 

TL;DR

• IDC’s survey shows optimistic ROI expectations of 2X-3X globally, with 37% of organizations already using it. 
• Recent Anthropic updates, including finance plugins, demonstrate rapid innovation but also raise concerns about job disruptions and market volatility in SaaS sectors.

Across the globe, 65% of respondents report expected returns in the two to three times range, showing strong confidence in the value of agentic AI. The data indicates that companies are beginning to see real ROI as they expand implementation.

Currently, 37% of organizations utilize agentic AI, 25% are testing it, and 24% plan to adopt it within the next two years, according to the report. 

The First Red Flag: Zero Failure Rate

A concerning finding in the IDC survey is the reported zero failure rate in developed markets, with no North American respondents expecting any ROI from agentic AI investments. 

Western Europe shows a similar pattern, suggesting an overly optimistic outlook.

All companies in these regions anticipate some level of profit, ranging from modest 1x returns to over 5x multiples. 

This unanimous confidence is surprising given the early stage of technology adoption.

In reality, expecting zero failures with any new technology is unrealistic, as risks such as integration issues and overhyped benefits often lead to setbacks. 

The survey results may reflect bias or inflated projections driven by competitive hype.

With Anthropic in the Picture

Anthropic’s recent Claude Cowork updates, launched on February 24, 2026, have disrupted the industry with customizable plugins and private AI agent marketplaces. 

The issues began with the initial plugin release three weeks earlier, which hurt legal software stocks and highlighted AI’s threat to entry-level jobs. 

Analysts cite significant cost savings from automation, fueling market fears and driving down SaaS firms’ valuations.

In banking and finance, new templates for investment and equity research enable AI to handle data analysis and reporting, potentially reducing manual workloads. 

This positions Anthropic as a competitor to frameworks like OpenClaw.

While the hype persists, open-source alternatives threaten professional services acceleration. 

ELI5

According to a survey by IDC, many organizations anticipate strong returns on their agentic AI investments, with some expecting to earn two to three times their investment. 

Around 37% of businesses are already using this technology. 

However, while advancements such as new financial tools from companies like Anthropic show rapid progress, there are concerns that these changes could lead to job losses and make financial markets more unpredictable.

Sources: 

IDC Survey | Neurons Lab | AIBusiness