Global AI Survey: AI proves its worth, but few scale impact

Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to increase, and the technology is generating returns. 1 1. We define artificial intelligence (AI) as the ability of a machine to perform cognitive functions that we associate with human minds (such as perceiving, reasoning, learning, and problem solving) and to perform physical tasks using cognitive functions (for example, physical robotics, autonomous driving, and manufacturing work). The findings of the latest McKinsey Global Survey on the subject show a nearly 25 percent year-over-year increase in the use of AI 2 2. We define AI use in standard business processes as embedded AI in at least one product or business process for at least one function or business unit. The online survey was in the field from March 26 to April 5, 2019, and garnered responses from 2,360 participants representing the full range of regions, industries, company sizes, functional specialties, and tenures. Of these respondents, 1,872 work at companies they say have piloted AI in at least one function or business unit, embedded at least one AI capability in at least one product or business process for at least one function or business unit, or embedded at least one AI capability in products or business processes across multiple functions or business units.