Enterprises Rejecting Plug and Play AI for Customisable Solutions, Finds Report

Why It Matters

Custom AI delivers measurable enterprise value, making it essential for firms seeking competitive advantage and sustainable ROI. The shift signals a market opportunity for service‑focused AI providers.

Key Takeaways

• Enterprises favor custom AI over plug‑and‑play solutions
• 91% plan to increase AI budgets within two years
• 31% cannot prove AI ROI; 27% lack talent
• Lack of industry expertise hampers AI integration
• AI Builders deliver full‑stack, accountable solutions

Pulse Analysis

Enterprises are increasingly turning away from generic, plug‑and‑play artificial‑intelligence tools in favor of solutions that can be tailored to their unique processes and data environments. Cognizant’s latest survey of 600 AI decision‑makers shows a clear preference for “AI Builders”—firms that design, develop, and deploy full‑stack AI systems aligned with specific industry requirements. The data also reveal that 91 % of respondents expect their AI spend to rise over the next two years, underscoring a market that values strategic, purpose‑built intelligence over one‑size‑fits‑all offerings.

Despite the appetite for custom models, organizations face persistent obstacles that slow adoption. The study highlights a shortage of industry‑specific expertise, difficulty integrating new models into legacy technology stacks, and inadequate post‑deployment support. Moreover, 31 % of firms struggle to demonstrate a clear return on AI investments, while 27 % cite talent gaps as a limiting factor. These pain points illustrate why off‑the‑shelf products often fall short: they lack the deep systems engineering and operational accountability required for enterprise‑scale impact.

AI Builders can bridge the gap by offering end‑to‑end services that combine domain knowledge, engineering rigor, and ongoing maintenance. By embedding intelligence directly into business workflows, they help translate experimental pilots into measurable outcomes, addressing both ROI concerns and talent constraints through managed services. As budgets expand, vendors that position themselves as trusted partners rather than product suppliers are likely to capture the majority of future spend. Companies that invest early in custom AI architectures stand to gain competitive advantage, faster time‑to‑value, and resilient AI capabilities.