America’s small and middle-market organizations remain confident about their future, but many are now tasked with proving measurable business value from artificial intelligence, findings from top 15 accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen show.
According to the latest CLA Heartbeat Index, a survey of 722 clients representing small and middle-market businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and civic organizations, 72% of leaders are optimistic about their standing in the economy in the next 12 months, yet fewer than half (49.5%) report gaining any meaningful efficiencies or performance gains from artificial intelligence and technology investments.
The results of the latest CLA Heartbeat Index suggest conversations around AI are entering a new phase. After two years of rapid experimentation and investment, businesses are shifting their focus from adoption to impact and accountability, with concerns around demonstrating how investments in AI are leading to productivity gains and a measurable return on investment.
The findings come as organizations across the country face mounting pressure to improve productivity, offset workforce shortages, and justify rapidly growing investments in technology. For many leaders, the next competitive advantage may depend less on adopting AI and more on proving its impact.
“Business leaders haven’t lost faith in growth, but they’re becoming far more disciplined about where they place their bets, asking tougher questions about talent, technology and overall investments,” CLA CEO Jen Leary said in a statement. “What stood out most to us is that confidence remains high even as organizations scrutinize where and how AI investments are producing real business value. The question is no longer about whether investing in AI is a sound business strategy, but instead about how quickly it will pay off.”
The AI reality check: Adoption is rising faster than results
The survey findings suggest that organizations remain optimistic about the future despite an increasingly complex operating environment:
- 72.2% are optimistic about their organization’s outlook for the next 12 months.
- 69.9% believe their workforce has the skills needed for future success.
- 68.6% are confident in their ability to expand, grow, or invest in strategic priorities.
- 49.5% reported positive improvements in efficiency of performance from recent technology or AI investments.
- Only 20.2% report highly positive impacts from investments in AI and technology.
Economic optimism persists even as businesses continue to face rising costs related to labor, materials, insurance, health care, financing, and other key inputs. Many respondents also described balancing growth ambitions with the need to protect profitability and improve productivity.
Business leaders cited implementation, governance, data quality, security, compliance, workforce readiness, change management, and return on investment among their biggest concerns related to AI adoption.
“Our findings suggest we’re approaching an AI accountability moment,” James Watson, chief solutions officer at CLA, said in a statement. “A year ago, leaders were asking how quickly they could adopt AI. Today, the conversation is about identifying practical use cases, preparing people to use these tools effectively, strengthening governance, and measuring business outcomes. The leaders who succeed will be those who can turn technology investments into better decisions, greater efficiency, and long-term value.”
CLA’s Heartbeat Index found that many respondents plan to invest in technology and automation, enter new markets, pursue acquisitions, strengthen customer relationships, retrain talent, and improve operations. At the same time, they continue to navigate workforce shortages, rising costs, regulatory complexity, and evolving customer demands.
The findings also reinforce the growing connection between workforce strategy and technology strategy. Business leaders continue to face challenges attracting and retaining talent while simultaneously preparing employees to work alongside emerging technologies. Respondents noted that future success will depend on an organization’s ability to connect talent development, workforce readiness, and technology adoption.
Resilience and opportunity
Rather than retreating amid uncertainty, business leaders are focusing on execution, adaptability, and disciplined growth. They remain optimistic about the opportunities ahead but are increasingly focused on ensuring that investments—particularly in AI and technology—deliver meaningful business impact.
About the Index: The CLA Heartbeat Index is conducted three times annually and surveys approximately 700-1,000 clients across the United States. Respondents primarily represent small and middle-market businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and civic leaders. The index provides a real-time view into how organizations that drive local economies are responding to changing economic conditions, workforce trends, technology investments, and growth opportunities.
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