Belgian CEOs are increasingly investing in AI and cybersecurity, but only a minority are currently seeing measurable financial benefits from their AI projects.
Only a minority of Belgian CEOs are currently deriving measurable financial gains from AI. At the same time, concerns about cyber threats are rising, leading to planned investments in cybersecurity.
Limited financial added value
PwC’s latest CEO survey shows that only one in eight CEOs worldwide attributes both cost savings and revenue growth to AI projects. In total, 33 percent experience some form of financial gain. However, more than half (56%) report no significant benefits. The picture is similar in Belgium: although AI is gradually moving out of test environments, measurable impact remains limited to a small group of companies.
PwC sees a clear gap between companies testing AI and organizations deploying it broadly. The latter group is up to three times more likely to achieve concrete results. Factors such as a solid technological foundation and Responsible AI frameworks increase the chance of financial return. According to additional analyses, the profit margin at companies with broad AI applications is on average four percentage points higher.
Cybersecurity is a priority
In addition to AI, cybersecurity is another important point of attention. Concerns about cyber threats have risen sharply: 31 percent of CEOs see this as a major threat, compared to 24 percent last year. As a result, 84 percent of the CEOs surveyed say they are taking measures to strengthen the cyber resilience of their entire organization.
Within the broader framework of geopolitical risks, 70 percent of Belgian business leaders indicate that they prioritize cybersecurity. Only twelve percent opt to strengthen the supply chain. Belgian companies appear to be more reluctant than their international counterparts to leave markets due to geopolitical tensions.
The survey questioned 4,454 CEOs worldwide, including 37 from Belgium. PwC conducted the survey between the end of September and the beginning of November 2025.