BCG's C-suite survey reveals only 26% of companies successfully generate tangible AI value despite widespread investment, with three-quarters naming AI as a top strategic priority for 2025. The one-quarter achieving significant returns focus on few initiatives, scale swiftly, and systematically measure operational and financial returns while transforming core processes. This research exposes the critical gap between AI hype and execution, demonstrating that success requires disciplined focus, strategic resource allocation, and fundamental process redesign rather than broad experimentation.