Fortune/Deloitte CEO Survey: Fall 2024
Optimism among surveyed CEOs surges after US elections, while key risks are acknowledged
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Key insights
Outlook and opportunities: CEOs see many opportunities following the election. Topping the list include taxes (66%), continued adoption of AI and GenAI (66%), business growth (62%), and access to capital (58%). They also see opportunity in regulation (49%).
Post-election risks: Over half of CEOs identify geopolitical instability (63%) as one of the top risks, along with climate and sustainability (62%), consistent with the findings of the Summer 2024 survey where these were ranked as leading disruptors. International trade and tariffs are also viewed as the top risk (73%) in response to President-elect Trump’s proposal to impose across-the-board tariffs on imports.
Technology: Roughly half of CEOs say they will continue to prioritize investments in the adoption of AI and generative AI, indicating moving beyond the hype cycle and into practical, transformative applications. Thirteen percent see less opportunity for the time being in other transformative technologies, such as quantum.
Investments for the future: CEOs plan to prioritize investments for business growth (88%), core business transformation (59%), as well as talent acquisition and transformation (54%).
Jason Girzadas, CEO, Deloitte US
We are seeing renewed optimism among CEOs who are not merely navigating complexities but also are embracing them as catalysts for innovation and growth. CEOs are increasing investments in AI, including Generative AI, with advancements in AI agents and industry-specific use cases helping drive practical transformative applications. The resilience and forward-thinking leadership demonstrated by CEOs will help them prepare for and take advantage of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Statistics that stand out
42%
of CEOs are optimistic about the global economy, up from 7% in the Fall 2023 survey
48%
see opportunity in technology/AI policy, but 12% see risk ahead
84%
of CEOs are optimistic or very optimistic about their company’s performance over the next 12 months
73%
see international trade and tariffs as potential risks for their businesses
About the survey
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About the Chief Executive Program
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