GenAI adoption surged 17% in 2024

GenAI has become much more advanced, with significant growth in its use throughout 2024. A report from Appen noted a 17% increase in adoption, largely due to better large language models. Many companies now see returns on investment, with around 74% reporting positive results. However, some organizations are still struggling to measure the return. New competitors like DeepSeek are emerging, offering innovative open-source models. This has impacted established companies like Nvidia, which faced substantial losses. The AI industry is evolving rapidly, and businesses need to adapt without getting overwhelmed by constant changes. One significant trend is the rise of AI agents. These tools automate tasks and help streamline workflows, allowing employees to focus on more complex work. Major tech firms such as Google and Microsoft are making advancements in this area. An example is OpenAI's Operator, which helps with tasks like shopping and scheduling. Companies can improve their efficiency by utilizing AI agents for decision-making. These agents analyze large data sets, offering valuable insights that can enhance operations like inventory and supply chain management. Collaborating with the right consultants can help organizations implement these technologies effectively. Data quality is crucial for maximizing GenAI's benefits. Organizations are encouraged to improve data hygiene as this directly affects the AI's performance and reliability. High-quality data leads to better outcomes and insights, while poor data can result in misleading information. Digitalization is another key factor. By converting information to digital formats, organizations make their data more accessible and organized. This process supports both data hygiene and effective use of GenAI tools. Companies are investing heavily in GenAI, with plans to allocate a significant portion of future budgets to this area. IT leaders must also focus on digitalization and data cleanliness to ensure successful AI implementations and drive innovation across their organizations.