KPMG report: Telco CEOs expect to make money on AI in three years

Telecom chiefs are not treating AI as a long-shot experiment. According to KPMG’s 2025 Global Technology & Telecommunications CEO Outlook, 84% of telecom leaders expect their AI spending to turn profitable within three years. The report shows operators putting real money into agentic AI systems and staff training, signaling that they see AI as a near-term productivity and revenue tool rather than a distant promise.

KPMG’s findings suggest a tight timeline: executives want AI to improve margins, automate internal processes, and support new services fast enough to matter in the current investment cycle. The focus on both technology and education also points to a recognition that software alone will not deliver returns; companies are trying to equip their workforces to use AI in day-to-day operations.