Despite more than $250 billion being invested in AI globally in 2025, only 25% of companies say it is having a transformative impact. Many organizations are still layering AI on to existing processes rather than redesigning how they operate around intelligence.

Written by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Kearney, The AI-First Operating System: A Blueprint for Operating and Business Model Innovation explores how AI-first enterprises are rethinking business models, workflows and decision-making. Drawing on insights from more than 50 leading organizations, it outlines five building blocks of AI-first success: intelligence engines, adaptive technology stacks, operations redesign, human-AI teaming and new value creation.

Case studies from companies including Indeed, Gamma and Cognizant illustrate these principles in action, showing how organizations can embed intelligence at scale to unlock faster innovation, greater productivity and entirely new forms of value creation.