PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey, one of the most comprehensive assessments of global business sentiment, highlights growing uncertainty and transformation pressure among business leaders worldwide. The study gathered insights from 4,454 CEOs across 95 countries, including 84 CEOs from Türkiye.
Revenue Expectations Hit a 5-Year Low
According to the report, only 30% of global CEOs are highly confident about revenue growth over the next 12 months, while in Türkiye, this figure drops to 24%.
This gap reflects a more cautious outlook among Turkish executives, shaped by macroeconomic uncertainty and structural challenges.
Technological Transformation Emerges as Top Concern
The inability to keep pace with rapid technological change has become the leading concern among CEOs:
- 42% of CEOs globally and in Türkiye cite the speed of technological transformation, including AI, as their primary concern
- 24% globally and 29% in Türkiye question whether their innovation capabilities are future-ready
- Concerns about long-term business sustainability stand at 19% globally and 21% in Türkiye
These findings indicate that beyond investment, organizational agility and capability transformation are becoming critical success factors.
Limited Financial Impact from AI Investments
Despite increasing investment, the financial impact of AI remains limited:
- 30% of global CEOs report no tangible returns from AI investments
- In Türkiye, 55% of companies state they have not yet seen any benefits
This suggests ongoing challenges in effectively integrating AI into core business operations.
Higher Risk Perception in Türkiye
Risk perception over the next 12 months shows notable divergence between Türkiye and global trends.
Globally, the top threats are:
- Cyber risks (30%)
- Inflation (25%)
- Geopolitical tensions (23%)
In Türkiye, however:
- Cyber risks (41%)
- Inflation (39%)
are perceived as significantly higher, indicating a more vulnerable outlook among local leaders.
Additionally, tariffs remain a concern, with 29% of CEOs expecting them to negatively impact profit margins.
“The Wait-and-See Era Is Over”
Commenting on the findings, Cenk Ulu, Senior Partner at PwC Türkiye, emphasized the urgency of adaptation:
“The ‘speed’ concern expressed by 42% of CEOs highlights the need for strong leadership and capability transformation to turn AI investments into real growth engines.
In an era of uncertainty, competitive advantage will come not just from investing in technology, but from combining it with operational agility and transforming it into sustainable business models.”
