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Companies are beginning to report financial benefits from artificial intelligence investments, as interest in the technology shifts from hype to measurable returns in the latest quarter. Corporate AI investment has surged as companies look to boost efficiency and become more profitable, reaching $581.7 billion in 2025, up 130% from the previous year, according to the Stanford HAI 2026 AI Index report. As executives tout the technology’s benefits and hyperscalers including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta are expected to spend a combined $700 billion this year on its infrastructure, investors are looking for measurable gains during the third-quarter earnings season.
Santander puts a number on AI gains
Spanish banking giant Santander reported on Wednesday that its AI initiatives generated 194 million euros ($216 million) in business value during the first nine months of 2026. Santander Chief Financial Officer José García Cantera explained to US Top News and Analysis (cnbc.com) that AI helps the bank reduce low-value tasks so employees can focus on higher-value work. Cantera stated that the technology affects both revenue and costs, allowing the bank to directly link a positive contribution to AI during the quarter, while also improving service quality for clients despite being embedded across all bank processes.
Novartis and Standard Chartered see AI in results
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis Chief Executive Officer Vas Narasimhan told US Top News and Analysis (cnbc.com) that artificial intelligence was beginning to contribute to the company’s bottom line. Novartis reported third-quarter core operating income of $6.04 billion, representing a 10% year-on-year increase at constant currencies. While the company did not quantify the exact amount attributable to AI, Narasimhan noted it was the first quarter where he really saw AI start to improve the profit and loss statement on a tangible basis, pointing to research and development productivity and bottom-line performance improvements in marketing and sales.
Meanwhile, Standard Chartered Chief Financial Officer Manus Costello stated on Wednesday that the company is observing AI appear everywhere across the business. The bank posted a third-quarter operating income growth of 14% at constant currency, excluding notable items. Costello explained that the impact is visible in top-line growth and operating leverage, noting that AI helps managers build better customer relationships, generate more income, and deploy tools to scale core processes efficiently.
Carlsberg says benefits are not yet at scale
Carlsberg Chief Executive Officer Jacob Aarup-Andersen stated that the company is not yet seeing AI benefits at scale, though the technology has impacted internal processes, cost efficiency, commercial and pricing processes, marketing, and the supply chain. The brewing company reported revenue growth of 4.9% in the third quarter.
Big Tech points to AI-driven growth
Technology firms are also reporting financial gains from the technology. Meta announced in its October 21 earnings report that artificial intelligence investments were delivering substantial incremental advertising revenue, alongside a 26% jump in total revenue for the quarter ended September 30. Alphabet reported on Wednesday that Google Search revenue growth slowed amid concerns over AI competition, but Google Cloud revenue more than doubled to nearly $31 billion in the third quarter.
