Nearly 87 per cent of enterprises in India are likely to increase annual artificial intelligence (AI) spending by more than 10 per cent in the next three years, a new report showed on Tuesday. Approximately 80 per cent of enterprises in the country have at least one AI model in production, indicating an extensive penetration of AI/machine learning (ML) across enterprises. Within providers, too, 64 per cent have AI/ML as a core element for many of their products, as against 56 per cent of their global counterparts, according to the report by Bain & Company's, in collaboration with Microsoft and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). "While the availability of data and cloud-based infrastructure have aided AI adoption, concerns related to data security, infrastructure, and management continue to be the most significant barriers for enterprises," said Velu Sinha, Partner, Bain & Company and co-author of the report. The report was launched by Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, in the presence of top executives from the companies.

European spending on artificial intelligence (AI) is estimated to reach more than $7bn in 2019 and to almost triple over the next four years, according to market intelligence firm IDC. The latest IDC Worldwide Semiannual Artificial Intelligence Spending Guide forecasts AI spending to grow at 32% per year, topping $21bn in Europe in 2023. Industries with the highest AI spend will be banking, retail, and discrete manufacturing, accounting for 39% of total spending. The report found that healthcare remains an attractive market for AI. Many hospitals are piloting projects and are increasing investments in AI-enabled diagnosis and treatment systems which will support a 38% increase in spending across the health sector over the next five years.