ROI & Cost

How much do companies save with AI?

By AI Statistics Center Editorial TeamLast updated: April 2026Reviewed against primary sources

Short Answer

87% of enterprises say AI has reduced annual costs as of 2026, with 25% reporting cost reductions greater than 10% (NVIDIA, 2026).

Key Facts

87% — of enterprises say AI has helped reduce annual costs — with 25% reporting reductions greater than 10% (NVIDIA State of AI 2026, 2026).
56% — of AI-using businesses in software engineering & manufacturing report cost decreases — the highest of any function (Reboot Online (citing McKinsey), 2025).
54% — of C-suite leaders expect AI to deliver cost savings — and roughly half of those expect savings exceeding 10% (BCG AI Radar 2024, 2024).

87%

of enterprises say AI has helped reduce annual costs — with 25% reporting reductions greater than 10%

Cost reductions from AI were nearly as widespread as revenue gains. Among industry verticals, retail and CPG led with 37% reporting costs reduced by more than 10%, driven by AI-powered inventory management, demand forecasting, and digital twins.

Original source: NVIDIA State of AI 2026 (2026)View in context →

Which business functions see the biggest AI cost savings?

Software engineering and manufacturing lead at 56% of AI-using businesses reporting cost decreases, followed by IT at 54%, strategy and corporate finance at 53%, and service operations and HR at 51%. 7% of software engineering firms report cost savings above 20%.

How much do banks save with AI?

AI automation reduced operations costs at major US banks by 13%, and AI chatbots can cut call-centre costs by up to 70% by handling routine enquiries. Audit preparation times have been cut by ~50% using AI.

How much do retailers and service teams save?

94% of retailers cite reduced operational costs from AI, and 92% of service teams with AI say it reduces their costs. Customer service specifically sees up to 30% cost reduction from AI chatbots, with reported ROIs averaging 1,275%.