More than half of organisations using open-source AI tools report seeing positive returns on investment (ROI), according to a new survey commissioned by IBM. The study, conducted by Morning Consult in collaboration with Lopez Research, found that 51% of companies leveraging open-source tools achieved positive ROI from their AI initiatives. In contrast, 41% of organisations not using open source reported similar outcomes.
The survey gathered responses from over 2,400 IT decision-makers across the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, India, and other regions. It highlights the growing role of open-source ecosystems in enterprise AI strategies, with 60% of respondents already integrating open-source platforms into their projects. Adoption is expected to increase further in 2025 as organisations aim to optimise their AI initiatives with collaborative and cost-effective solutions.
“As organisations begin to implement AI at scale, many are placing greater stock in success metrics such as productivity gains, in part because traditional hard dollar ROI benefits have yet to show up on the balance sheets,” said Maribel Lopez of Lopez Research. “Yet, companies continue to rapidly advance their AI strategies, with no sign of slowing down. Companies now recognise the value of defining specific use cases and optimising AI projects. They are leveraging hybrid cloud strategies and open source to drive AI innovation and deliver financial returns.”
The IBM study highlighted the scalability of open-source tools as a key factor in their adoption. Among organisations using open-source platforms, 38% plan to launch more than 21 AI pilots in 2025, compared to 26% of companies not using open-source. Larger enterprises showed a stronger inclination toward open-source solutions, with the likelihood of adoption increasing with company size.
The data also revealed that open-source tools form a substantial part of existing AI infrastructures. Over 80% of surveyed organisations reported that at least 25% of their AI systems rely on open-source ecosystems. This trend reflects the growing importance of these tools in helping organisations execute and scale AI strategies.
Open source is also a priority for companies planning future investments. 48% of surveyed organisations intend to expand their use of open-source platforms in 2025. Among those not currently using open source, 40% plan to adopt these tools next year. The study indicates that organisations view open source as a way to optimise AI development and achieve more reliable outcomes.
AI investments continue to grow
The survey reflects broader trends in AI spending, with 62% of organisations planning to increase their budgets in 2025. Among these, 39% expect to boost spending by 25–50%, with investments focusing on IT operations (63%), data quality management (46%), and product or service innovation (41%).
Despite only 47% of surveyed organisations reporting positive ROI from their AI investments so far, long-term confidence remains strong. Among companies not yet achieving returns, 92% anticipate positive ROI within three years, with 44% expecting dollar savings within one to two years.
Read more: Open Source Initiative unveils new standards for open source AI
