A new report from KPMG is giving the business world a closer look at what actually drives meaningful results from artificial intelligence — and the findings are less about the tools themselves and more about the people using them.
According to the consulting giant's latest research, organizations and individuals who get the most out of AI share a distinct set of habits and mindsets that set them apart from casual adopters. The study points to intentional experimentation, a willingness to iterate quickly, and embedding AI into core workflows — rather than treating it as an occasional add-on — as key differentiators.
For Austin's fast-growing AI ecosystem, the timing couldn't be more relevant. As local companies ranging from enterprise tech firms along the Domain corridor to scrappy startups in East Austin continue scaling their AI adoption, understanding what separates surface-level use from transformative application is increasingly a competitive question.
The KPMG findings suggest that high-impact AI users tend to approach the technology with clear outcome goals in mind, invest in upskilling their teams continuously, and foster organizational cultures where experimentation is rewarded rather than penalized. Leadership buy-in, the report notes, remains a critical factor in whether AI initiatives actually move the needle.
Austin, which has seen a surge in AI-focused hiring, investment rounds, and new venture formation over the past two years, is full of both examples and cautionary tales. The city's blend of enterprise anchors like Dell, Oracle, and Apple alongside a vibrant startup scene makes it a natural testing ground for exactly the kind of behavioral shifts KPMG is highlighting.
For local founders and operators asking why their AI pilots haven't delivered expected ROI, the answer may not be in the model — it may be in the habits built around it.