78% of American CEOs are Bullish on AI's Impact on Workplace Efficiency and Innovation, New Stagwell (STGW) Study Reveals

Rhea-AI Summary

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) released a survey of 100 U.S. CEOs conducted by its National Research Group, fielded Oct 21–Nov 10, 2025, and unveiled at The Wall Street Journal 2025 CEO Council Summit on Dec 9, 2025.

Key findings: 85% view AI as in a healthy growth phase, 78% are bullish on AI's impact on workplace efficiency and innovation, 74% express confidence in U.S. economic resilience into 2026 despite 62% saying the U.S. is on the wrong track. Top policy priorities: managing inflation (61%), reducing debt (47%), and job creation (33%).

Positive

• 78% of CEOs bullish on AI workplace efficiency
• 85% view AI as entering a healthy growth phase
• 74% express confidence in U.S. economic resilience into 2026

Negative

• 62% of CEOs believe the U.S. is on the wrong track
• 66% expect regulatory and policy shifts to impact business
• 60% cite trade restrictions as a significant business impact

Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn unveiled survey of 100 CEOs on stage at The Wall Street Journal's 2025 CEO Council Summit

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, unveiled the results of a survey of 100 American CEOs to gauge sentiment on business priorities, economic outlook, and views of AI advancements heading into 2026. The study, conducted by Stagwell's National Research Group (NRG), provides guidance on how CEOs are anticipating business, economic and political shifts leading into the new year.

Key findings from the study include:

• CEOs support AI as a transformative force: Nearly all CEOs (85%) see AI as entering a healthy growth phase rather than a bubble, with generative AI viewed as the most transformative technology of 2026. 78% of CEOs maintain they are bullish on AI's impact on workplace efficiency and innovation.
• CEOs predict economic unease, but maintain measured confidence: While 62% of CEOs believe the U.S. is on the wrong track, nearly three in four (74%) express confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy heading into 2026.
• Inflation, debt, and jobs dominate CEO agendas: Financial stability is the top policy focus for 2026, with managing inflation (61%), reducing debt (47%), and job creation (33%) marked as top policy priorities.
• Policy and political concerns weigh on CEO confidence: Regulatory and policy shifts (66%) and trade restrictions (60%), are expected to have the greatest impact on business. Nearly half (46%) are pessimistic about political leaders' stability and predictability.

For the full results, visit stagwellglobal.com.

Methodology
The findings are drawn from research conducted by Stagwell's National Research Group (NRG) with 100 U.S.-based CEOs leading organizations with 10,000 or more employees. The sample reflects a mix of CEO tenures, cross-industry representation, and B2B and B2C companies. The survey was fielded online between October 21 and November 10, 2025.

About Stagwell 
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

Contact
Maggie Axford
pr@stagwellglobal.com

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SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

FAQ

What did Stagwell (STGW) report about CEO views on AI in December 2025?

Stagwell reported that 85% of surveyed CEOs view AI as in a healthy growth phase and 78% are bullish on AI's workplace impact.

How many CEOs did Stagwell survey for the STGW study and when was it fielded?

Stagwell surveyed 100 U.S. CEOs, and the survey was fielded online between Oct 21 and Nov 10, 2025.

What economic outlook did CEOs in the STGW survey express for 2026?

74% of CEOs expressed confidence in U.S. economic resilience into 2026, despite 62% saying the country is on the wrong track.

What policy priorities did CEOs list in the Stagwell (STGW) CEO survey?

Top policy priorities were managing inflation (61%), reducing debt (47%), and job creation (33%) for 2026.

Which risks did CEOs say would most affect business in the STGW survey?

CEOs cited regulatory and policy shifts (66%) and trade restrictions (60%) as having the greatest expected impact.

Where can investors find the full Stagwell (STGW) CEO survey results from Dec 9, 2025?

The company directs readers to visit stagwellglobal.com for the full survey results.