Global perspectives on AI

Artificial intelligence has evolved from an esoteric research topic--with its origins six decades ago in corporate and academic computer science labs--into a collection of powerful technologies with mainstream business promise and applicability. Deloitte's global AI study finds that, in organizations adopting AI, more than eight in 10 leaders see AI as "very" or "critically" important to their business success in the next two years.1 AI adoption and spending are surging globally. According to one report, 37 percent of organizations have now deployed AI--a 270 percent increase from four years ago.2 Analysts project global spending on AI to top US$35 billion in 2019 and more than double to US$79.2 billion by 2022.3 What is driving this tremendous upswing? Many foresee AI helping to spur enormous productivity gains over the next decade, making it essential to the competitiveness of national economies.4