Navigating a surprising pandemic side effect: AI whiplash

Amid the many business disruptions caused by covid-19, here's one largely overlooked: artificial intelligence (AI) whiplash. As the pandemic began to upend the world last year, businesses reached for every tool at their disposal--including AI--to solve challenges and serve customers safely and effectively. In a 2021 KPMG survey of US business executives conducted between January 3 and 16, half the respondents said their organization sped up its use of AI in response to covid-19--including 72% of industrial manufacturers, 57% of technology companies, and 53% of retailers. Most are happy with the results. Eighty-two percent of those surveyed agree AI has been helpful to their organization during the pandemic, and a majority say it is delivering even more value than anticipated.