Research Note: Rapid Adoption of Generative AI & the Implications on Cybersecurity
By 2026, 80% of enterprises will have used generative AI APIs or deployed generative AI-enabled applications in production environments, driven by the rapid maturation and accessibility of the technology. (Probability 0.9)
The rapid adoption of generative AI in enterprise environments is driven by two key factors: 1) the significant advancements in AI capabilities and 2) the increasing accessibility of these technologies. Research shows exponential growth in AI development, with models like GPT-4 demonstrating near-human performance across various tasks. Simultaneously, the democratization of AI through cloud-based services and user-friendly APIs has lowered adoption barriers. This convergence of improved capabilities and increased accessibility is reflected in surging adoption rates and investments, with 40% of organizations already using generative AI in at least one business function as of 2023. Given these trends, the projection that 80% of enterprises will deploy generative AI by 2026 is well-supported, signaling a transformative shift in how businesses operate and compete in the near future.
Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have expanded their AI offerings, making powerful generative AI capabilities accessible through their cloud platforms. This accessibility is reflected in the rapid adoption rates observed in recent surveys. For instance, a 2023 McKinsey Global Survey found that 40% of respondents reported their organizations were already using generative AI in at least one business function, a figure that has more than doubled from the previous year. Furthermore, investments in AI startups focusing on generative technologies have surged, with CB Insights reporting a 320% increase in funding for such companies between 2021 and 2023. These trends, combined with the projected growth in the global AI market – expected to reach $190.61 billion by 2025.