AI budgets expected to expand in 2021, despite pandemic

This article is the third in a 5-part series on predictions in AI in 2021 -- catch up on the first and second in the series. Artificial intelligence (AI) has reached the top: Two-thirds of senior executives across industries cite AI as vitally important to the future of their businesses and plan to increase their investments in the space after the pandemic. However, that hasn't stopped many businesses from accelerating their AI programs during the pandemic. The Driving ROI Through AI Report shares that companies increased investments by 4.6% on average over the last year with a plan to invest 8.3% per year over the next three years. Keeping in mind that budgetary concerns from the pandemic may alter these predictions, so far organizations have continued to maximize budgets to stay agile in a fast-evolving space.