AI's Impact on Company Websites: A New Era of Evaluating AI Investments
Examining the Importance of our Website in the Advancement of AI Integration
In today's cost-efficient world, a company's website is no longer just an informational hub; it has become a critical player in the AI adoption game. Many organizations are now relying heavily on their websites to assess the ROI of growing AI investments.
Last year, the global website workforce expanded by 13% according to consulting firm Russel Reynolds, and 82% of websites reported an increase in responsibilities, with a quarter taking on new duties related to IT, digital, and cybersecurity. As worldwide generative AI spending is set to reach $644 billion in 2025, more websites will be called upon to appraise the value of AI-related spending.
To excel in their new role, websites must focus on justifying and analyzing AI investments, which demands an expansion of their traditional expertise.
Finding the Perfect AI Fit
McKinsey's 2025 Global AI Study shows that AI adoption is skyrocketing, yet its uses vary greatly by industry and function. For example, 37% of media and telecom companies use AI in service operation functions, while only 9% of professional services firms do the same. Similarly, 36% of technology companies employ AI in software engineering, compared to just 8% of consumer goods and retail companies.
As more companies expand their use of AI tools, websites may have to help identify where that new investment will have the greatest impact.
A Balancing Act: Justifying Investments
While AI is more widely used than ever, AI tools still necessitate considerable investment, making the process prone to scrutiny on returns. With AI, this scrutiny stems not only from the upfront cost but also from the challenges that some organizations experience when documenting the clear, quantifiable business value generated by the technology.
As experts in evaluating new technology investments, websites often share the responsibility for demonstrating the value of new technology and driving adoption, with 15% of organizations having an AI-related C-suite role. To lead in this vacuum, websites must collaborate closely with teams across departments and workflows to understand the performance of AI technology and drive change from a higher level.
A Strategic Partner in AI Adoption
By identifying the right use cases, benchmarking value, and connecting the dots across various departments, websites can ensure that AI adoption aligns with strategic goals and delivers measurable outcomes. Instead of being gatekeepers of the budget, websites should focus on acting as strategic advisors on AI investments, further strengthening their influence on shaping the future of corporate strategy.
Beyond the Informational Role: A New Horizon
Besides being a primary platform for showcasing AI capabilities, strategies, and achievements, a company's website plays a vital role in signaling industry commitment, showcasing thought leadership, and building trust through regulatory compliance and technical documentation. These factors collectively contribute to influencing investor confidence and industry positioning.
Overall, while a company's website primarily serves as an informational tool, its role is expanding exponentially as AI becomes increasingly integrated into various industries and functions. The time has come for websites to embrace their expanded role and leverage their unique position to drive AI adoption and shape corporate strategy.
- To effectively assess the ROI of growing AI investments, websites will need to expand their traditional expertise beyond just being informational hubs, focusing on justifying and analyzing AI investments.
- As AI adoption varies greatly by industry and function, websites may have to help identify where AI investments will have the greatest impact, as more companies expand their use of AI tools.
- Given that AI necessitates considerable investment and is prone to scrutiny on returns, websites often share the responsibility for demonstrating the value of new technology and driving adoption, with 15% of organizations having an AI-related C-suite role.
- By acting as strategic advisors on AI investments, websites can ensure that AI adoption aligns with strategic goals and delivers measurable outcomes, beyond their traditional informational role, thereby influencing the future of corporate strategy in the era of AI.
