Thriving in the era of pervasive AI

AI solutions are proliferating, from custom offerings to enterprise applications to devices with embedded capabilities. This year’s Deloitte AI survey found a growing awareness of the associated risks and wide variation in companies’ preparedness for miti

Over the past few years, more and more companies have been experimenting with AI, advancing their data-related capabilities, acquiring new technologies and talent, and integrating AI into their business processes. In coming years, AI will likely become even more pervasive. Just as companies no longer talk about isolated mobile strategies – they’re just part of doing business – AI will soon become standard and routine, maybe even sooner than expected.

As a result, companies that already have an AI-powered edge should continue differentiating themselves. Companies that haven’t yet adopted AI technologies may want to begin accelerating efforts across their products, processes, and talent.

This year’s “State of AI in the Enterprise” survey uncovered these key insights:

• Adopters continue to have confidence in AI technologies’ ability to drive value and advantage.

There are increasing levels of AI technology implementation and financial investment. Adopters say they are realising competitive advantage and expect AI-powered transformation to happen for both their organisations and industries.

• Early-mover advantage may fade soon.

As adoption becomes ubiquitous, AI-powered organisations may have to work harder to maintain an edge over their industry peers – an indicator of a levelling of the playing field. Most adopters expect that AI will soon be integrated into more and more widely available applications.

• Virtually all adopters are using AI to improve efficiency; mature adopters are also harnessing the technologies to boost differentiation.

Using AI for automation and optimisation can provide significant benefits, but leading organisations are working to move beyond these objectives by leveraging AI to create new products and ways of working.

• AI adopters tend to buy more than they build, and they see having the best AI technology as key to competitive advantage.

As options for platforms, solutions, and vendors proliferate and improve, it will likely become increasingly important for companies to become more astute consumers of AI technologies. Being able to integrate and scale those technologies, no matter where they come from, will likely also be critical.

• Adopters recognise AI’s risks, but a “preparedness gap” spans strategic, operational, and ethical risks.

As usage has grown, so has awareness of the various risks of AI – from unintended bias to determining accountability. What appears to have not grown enough is the adoption of specific actions to help mitigate those risks, even by the most skilled adopters. By expanding conceptions about what AI can do, becoming better at selecting and evaluating new companies and technologies, and tackling AI risks head-on, current and future AI adopters can position themselves not just to survive but to thrive in the emerging era of pervasive AI.

“In coming years, AI will likely become even more pervasive. Just as companies no longer talk about isolated mobile strategies – they’re just part of doing business – AI will soon become standard and routine, maybe even sooner than expected.”