7 Key Strategies for Maximizing AI Agent ROI in 2025
Companies are seeing tangible results from their AI investments. A recent study by Google Cloud found that 88% of leading companies adopting AI agents are achieving a positive ROI from generative AI , significantly exceeding the overall enterprise average of 74%. Now that the era of AI agents has truly arrived, how can you maximize your investment? 7 Strategies for Maximizing AI Agent ROI 1. Secure C-level sponsors Organizations with comprehensive executive support are achieving 78% ROI from AI. The first condition for successful AI adoption is a clear vision and support from top management. Beyond simply securing approval for the technology, it's crucial to secure comprehensive understanding and support of how AI aligns with business goals. Eric Lambert, Vice President of Legal at Trimble, emphasized, "Leaders must first determine what ROI means. It goes beyond simple financial returns." The performance of AI investments should be measured across multiple dimensions, including improved efficiency and achievement of business objectives. 2. Establishing a data governance and security system 37% of companies cited data privacy and security as their top consideration when choosing an LLM provider . Building trustworthy AI systems requires robust data governance and an enterprise security framework. Natalie Bowman, Director of Data Management at Alaska Airlines, noted, "The biggest security concern for LLMs is the risk of malicious actors accessing the data, causing hallucinations, or altering the data." We must establish systematic security policies to ensure data integrity and prevent vicious cycles, and maintain a system that always allows for human intervention. 3. Start with the areas where you can make the biggest impact. The effects of AI were found to be greatest in the following order: productivity (70%), customer experience (63%), and business growth (56%). Not all AI projects deliver equal value. Focus on building AI agents that can automate repetitive tasks to achieve a clear ROI. Specifically, in the area of individual productivity, 39% of companies have already achieved ROI, and of those reporting productivity gains, 39% said employee productivity has at least doubled. 4. Granting AI agents appropriate tool access. For AI agents to perform practical tasks, they need access to internal enterprise systems like CRM or Drive . Building AI agents that go beyond simple chatbots and perform real-world tasks requires providing secure and controlled access to the necessary systems and data. "AI agents can be applied to a wide range of use cases, and every business has workflows where agentic AI can deliver meaningful value," said Fiona Tan, CTO of Wayfair. 5. Building a Scalable AI Rulebook As AI use increases, so do the risks, so it's important to establish clear, company-wide guidelines early . "AI technology is evolving rapidly. Even a year ago, very few people were talking about AI agents and agentic AI at the enterprise level," said Cristina Nitulescu, director of digital transformation at Bayer Consumer Health, emphasizing the importance of redesigning processes for the future. We need to establish clear standards and procedures for data security, intellectual property protection, and compliance now.