Introduction
As far as the business world is concerned, generative AI has arrived: 80% of companies SAP LeanIX surveyed report employees are already using this new technology, though in most cases only to a limited extent.
According to the survey, a large majority of companies expect artificial intelligence to increase efficiency, and almost half expect a significant improvement in work quality. For those companies that have yet to use generative AI, or to use it extensively, potential data security risks and uncertainty about the legal implications of AI top their list of concerns. Thanks to these and other concerns, three quarters of companies have rules in place to limit the use of artificial intelligence.
Still, despite differences in concerns and expectations, there is widespread agreement among all respondents on one point: 90% consider a comprehensive overview of generative AI‘s use in the company important. Unfortunately, only 14% currently enjoy such an overview. In fact, more than a third of respondents report that data on AI usage is not collected at all or that there is no clear accountability for tracking such data.
Almost all respondents stated they are working with or plan to work with a framework for AI governance. However, these efforts do not yet seem to be adequate or effective, since only 15% of companies surveyed believe they are well prepared to comply with existing and currently emerging legal guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence.
Ultimately, these results from the SAP LeanIX AI Survey 2024 reveal that companies around the world have a long way to go when it comes to effective AI governance.
The advent of generative AI is comparable to the emergence of social media, the launch of the smartphone, or the introduction of the Internet, according to Forrester. They expect annual growth rates of 36% for the technology by 2030.1 CIOs surveyed by Gartner in 2023 are also betting on artificial intelligence. Three quarters plan to increase their investments in this area this year, and 80% report that their companies plan to adopt this technology within the next three years.2 IDC expects global spending on AI solutions to exceed $500 billion in 2027.3
But the experts also point to difficulties that will hinder, in the short term, the spread generative AI and productivity gains it promises. These difficulties include a lack of clarity around regulations, questions concerning intellectual property rights, and broader ethical concerns.
How do companies currently view the opportunities and challenges associated with introducing generative AI? What measures have they already taken, or plan to take, to address potential challenges? These and other questions served as the focus of the SAP LeanIX AI Survey 2024.
Survey of IT experts from around the world on the use of artificial intelligence
From December 2023 through January 2024 SAP LeanIX surveyed customers in relevant IT roles at 226 companies about their use and management of generative AI. In terms of specific IT roles, enterprise architects make up the largest proportion (67%) of the sample. Seventy-one percent of those surveyed work for companies based in Europe, 19% for companies based in the US. Regardless of region, respondents evenly represented companies of different sizes, with 40% working in organizations with over 10,000 employees.
Generative AI already in use at 80% of companies
Whether embedded in applications or as standalone tools, nearly a third of those surveyed report their employees are already using generative AI extensively. The largest segment of respondents (48%) report some generative AI usage, but only to a limited extent. Overall, with 80% of companies using generative AI, one can say that AI has arrived in a business context.
Still, despite differences in concerns and expectations, there is widespread agreement among all respondents on one point: 90% consider a comprehensive overview of generative AI‘s use in the company important. Unfortunately, only 14% currently enjoy such an overview. In fact, more than a third of respondents report that data on AI usage is not collected at all or that there is no clear accountability for tracking such data.
Almost all respondents stated they are working with or plan to work with a framework for AI governance. However, these efforts do not yet seem to be adequate or effective, since only 15% of companies surveyed believe they are well prepared to comply with existing and currently emerging legal guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence.
Ultimately, these results from the SAP LeanIX AI Survey 2024 reveal that companies around the world have a long way to go when it comes to effective AI governance.
The advent of generative AI is comparable to the emergence of social media, the launch of the smartphone, or the introduction of the Internet, according to Forrester. They expect annual growth rates of 36% for the technology by 2030.1 CIOs surveyed by Gartner in 2023 are also betting on artificial intelligence. Three quarters plan to increase their investments in this area this year, and 80% report that their companies plan to adopt this technology within the next three years.2 IDC expects global spending on AI solutions to exceed $500 billion in 2027.3
But the experts also point to difficulties that will hinder, in the short term, the spread generative AI and productivity gains it promises. These difficulties include a lack of clarity around regulations, questions concerning intellectual property rights, and broader ethical concerns.
How do companies currently view the opportunities and challenges associated with introducing generative AI? What measures have they already taken, or plan to take, to address potential challenges? These and other questions served as the focus of the SAP LeanIX AI Survey 2024.
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