As more companies rush to adopt artificial intelligence, those that focus on responsible AI practices are pulling ahead of the rest. A new survey from EY, conducted in August and September 2025, reveals that businesses committed to responsible AI see better results in innovation, productivity, and even revenue growth.
The survey collected responses from 975 top executives across 21 countries, all from large companies with over $1 billion in revenue. It shows that 81% of these leaders said their companies have become more innovative thanks to AI, and 79% noticed improvements in efficiency and productivity. About half also reported gains in revenue (54%), cost savings (48%), and employee satisfaction (56%).
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Almost every company surveyed reported financial losses related to AI risks. In fact, 99% faced losses, with 64% losing more than $1 million, and the average loss estimated at $4.4 million. The main problems were failing to meet AI regulations, setbacks in sustainability goals, and biased AI outputs. On top of that, most executives struggle to identify the right controls to prevent these issues, with only around 12% able to correctly pinpoint needed safeguards.
One surprising finding is that many companies are allowing “citizen developers” — regular employees who build and use AI tools independently. While two-thirds of companies permit this, only 60% have clear policies to manage the risks. Half of the organizations admit they don’t have a good view of how their employees are using AI agents, which raises concerns about governance.
EY points out that companies which actively monitor AI in real-time tend to see bigger boosts in revenue and cost savings. Most organizations have started putting responsible AI measures into place, averaging seven practices per company, and almost all plan to add more. It’s clear that businesses that see responsible AI as a core part of their operations are reaping rewards in productivity and growth.
Raj Sharma, EY’s Global Managing Partner for Growth & Innovation, stresses that responsible AI isn’t just about avoiding problems—it helps build trust and sets companies apart in the competitive AI landscape.
With AI becoming a bigger part of work life, and employees increasingly creating their own AI tools, businesses face challenges in keeping AI use safe and fair. The survey underlines the urgent need for stronger controls and better talent models to handle a workforce working alongside AI. Without these steps, companies risk losing money and falling behind in the fast-moving AI economy.