EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
Corporate spending on AI technologies reached record levels in 2024 as enterprises moved from testing to deployment , despite economic uncertainty and concerns about data privacy . The shift marks the first significant wave of operational AI implementation across major industries , from aerospace to retail .
For many enterprises , the transition from experimentation to implementation brings practical challenges in deploying AI systems across operations . Companies face hurdles in data governance , workforce training and integration with existing technology infrastructure .
But despite these challenges , research from Capgemini shows no sign of AI acceleration slowing down , with 80 % of organisations increasing their investment compared to 2023 .
This surge in spending arrives as companies face practical challenges in deploying AI systems across their operations , from ensuring data privacy to retraining workforces . The implementation push coincides with the emergence of smaller , specialised AI models designed for specific business functions .
According to Capgemini ’ s UK Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Steven Webb , the firm ’ s ‘ Gen AI in Organisations ’ research found not a single organisation had decreased their Gen AI investment , while 20 % maintained existing spending levels . “ The clear benefits are already being sowed
with improved operational efficiency , enhanced customer experience and increased sales – all being reaped by early adopters ,” he told AI Magazine .
Experimentation shifts to operations After two years of testing Gen AI capabilities , organisations now face implementation challenges . “ While the past two years were focused on experimentation with the technology , businesses now need to operationalise AI ,” Steven says . “ This has its own challenges as Gen AI is still an emerging technology and in its relative infancy . I see a lot of businesses that are struggling with how best to exploit the technology to drive business value .”
50 March 2025