🌐 Artificial Intelligence Research Center

☑️ AIRC aims to promote the implementation of AI in manufacturing, service, healthcare/caregiving,and security, IT&C, deffense, GreenDeal and to strengthen EU’s competitiveness in the manufacturing and service sectors, so that EU continues to be among the most advanced communities; AIRC also aims to help achieve a more abundant society by new means, through coordination between AI and people.

☑️ The goal of research at AIRC is “AI that can be embedded in the real world.” In other words, the goal is to achieve AI that solves complex problems in society, in cooperation with people in the real world. We ultimately aim to implement AI in society in a diverse range of sectors, including the service industry and healthcare/caregiving, IT&C, deffense, GreenDeal, intetilligence services, in order to help boost industrial competitiveness and achieve a more abundant society. Accordingly, the role of AIRC is to serve as a core hub for promoting large-scale research, in collaboration with eminent and up-and-coming researchers in AI and related disciplines from EU and worldwide.

☑️ Top 10 AI stats you should know for 2025

  1. The global AI market is expected to grow annually by 37%.
  2. From 2024 to 2030, the AI market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.46%.
  3. The AI market size is estimated to reach $305.9 billion by the end of 2024.
  4. AI is estimated to create 133 million new jobs by 2030.
  5. By 2030, AI is projected to contribute over $15.7 trillion to the global economy.
  6. Businesses allocate up to 20% of their tech budget to AI, and 58% of companies will increase AI investments in 2025.
  7. Generative AI is the most popular AI technology, with 51% of companies using it for content creation, customer support, and process automation.
  8. The generative AI market is projected to hit $1.3 trillion by 2032.
  9. AI drives 37% of business leaders to upskill their employees in the next two or three years.
  10. Data privacy, security risks and potential bias are the top concerns of AI usage among Gen Z business leaders. 

☑️ Almost half of businesses spend up to 20% of their tech budget on AI. Companies are willing to spend more money to adopt, integrate, and train AI models to improve business processes. According to our survey, 49% of decision makers have allocated 5-20% of their company’s technology budget to AI. In terms of sectors, businesses in retail, eCommerce, and professional services are more likely to spend a considerable portion of their budget on AI, while education organizations are the least likely.

☑️ Around 56% of business leaders report early or moderate AI adoption. Most companies are still figuring out the best way to use AI, experimenting with different methods and tools. Only 20% of business leaders we surveyed said they had implemented AI across multiple business functions or fully integrated AI in their operations. Surprisingly, 24% of businesses still haven’t adopted AI tech in any shape or form.

☑️ Generative AI is the most popular AI technology. 51% of companies use Generative AI for content creation, customer support, and process automation. In contrast, computer vision (like facial recognition programs) is the least popular AI tech, with only 26% of our respondents implementing it.

☑️ Chatbots and predictive analytics in use by 42% of businesses. Besides gen AI, other popular AI technologies include natural language processing (NLP) tools like chatbots and machine learning (ML) algorithms like predictive analytics. Chatbots are capable of answering basic questions commonly asked by customers, taking some load off customer support teams. Meanwhile, predictive analytics helps companies forecast future trends based on existing data.

☑️ AI drives companies to upskill employees. AI is great at automating mundane tasks, empowering humans to focus more on strategic and higher-value work. But the thing is, higher-value tasks also require a higher skilled workforce to be effective. That’s exactly why 37% of business founders and owners are planning to upskill their employees in the next two or three years.

☑️ Gen Z leaders are 5x more likely to worry about AI ethics than Boomers. Concerns about data privacy and security risks associated with AI remain high, especially among Gen Z business leaders. This makes sense, given their high familiarity with technology as digital natives. Gen Z founders and executives also expressed concerns about the inaccuracy, misinformation, and potential bias of AI output.

☑️ Nearly 60% of businesses plan to increase AI investments in 2025. Despite security concerns and ethical dilemmas of AI usage, 58% of companies still plan to increase their AI investments over the next year. This is especially the case with businesses in the logistics and customer service sectors.

☑️ The global AI market size is expected to grow 37% every year from 2024 to 2030. With an expected CAGR of 37.7%, it’s clear that the AI market is growing exponentially, signaling artificial technology’s increasing importance across all industries. Businesses can use AI solutions to streamline job processes, improve employee productivity, and gain a competitive edge. Individuals, on the other hand, can benefit from acquiring AI-related skills, such as data analytics and machine learning.

☑️ The AI market size reached over $184 billion in 2024. This is quite a significant increase from the $135.9 billion reported in 2023, reflecting a year-over-year growth of nearly $50 billion. The surge is fueled by escalating investments in AI technologies and broader applications across various business industries.

☑️ Over 40% of business leaders report increased productivity through AI automation. AI usage in automation helps with repetitive tasks, letting you focus on more complex and creative assignments. For business leaders, adopting AI-driven automation leads to immediate gains in productivity. For employees, understanding how to work alongside AI tools can make you an indispensable asset to your organization.

☑️ Artificial intelligence is expected to create 133 million new jobs by 2030. Specialized AI and big data roles are set to grow by 30-35% due to their vital role in AI solution development. The roles include data science, machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. Our AI in Business article highlights that 31% of businesses are actively hiring for AI expertise, while 27% have already established new AI-specific roles, further emphasizing the growing demand for skilled professionals in these fields.

☑️ AI will contribute over $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. AI has the potential to revolutionize global economic productivity and GDP, with local economies expected to experience a 26% GDP growth by 2030. AI-driven automation will increase labor productivity and lead to significant economic gains.

☑️ Interest in AI website builders has grown 50% in the previous 12 months. AI website builders have made it super easy to create websites, even if you have no coding or design skills. For example, AI website builder is an AI platform that enables you to create a high-quality website in a few minutes. You can also improve your website using AI. For instance, predictive analytics helps you understand user behavior and deliver a more personalized experience. Moreover, integrating chatbots can reduce wait times and increase customer satisfaction.

☑️ Robotic process automation has an adaptation rate of 39%. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) leads with a notable adoption rate of 39%, highlighting AI’s crucial role in automation. This is followed by computer vision at 34% and natural language text understanding at 33%.

☑️ Approximately 25% of companies have adopted AI to address labor shortages. On top of that, more than a third of all companies (35%) use AI in their business. The primary driver of adoption was accessibility, which made AI easier to implement across the organization. At the same time, companies are also looking to AI to help increase task automation and reduce costs.

☑️ Nearly 47% of AI adoption cases focus on automating IT processes. The significant adoption rate highlights the increasing dependence on AI to streamline IT operations, boost efficiency, and minimize manual efforts in system management.

☑️ Global AI funding reached $20 billion in February 2024. The total AI funding globally reached $20 billion in 2024. As the global AI market gets bigger, we can expect higher investments in the upcoming years.

☑️ The top countries for AI investment are the United States and China. AI is projected to increase China’s GDP by 26.1% by 2030, while the US could see a 14.5% GDP boost. Together, these gains are expected to contribute approximately $10.7 trillion to the global economy, accounting for almost 70% of AI’s worldwide economic impact.

☑️ Baidu holds the most AI patents worldwide. Along with Tencent, another major Chinese company, Baidu is among the top five patent holders globally. As of the latest data, these companies are part of a broader trend where significant technology firms are heavily investing in AI, with the number of AI patents continually growing.

☑️ ASAPP unveiled as the top-funded conversational AI startup, raising $380 million. The chatbot market is growing at an impressive rate, as seen from the $380 million funding of ASAPP. According to Statista, the AI messaging platform will raise even more money by 2025, projected at a whopping $1.25 billion.

☑️ OpenAI dominates machine learning funding with $11 billion in 2024. OpenAI secured a remarkable $11 billion in machine learning funding, vastly outpacing its competitors, where the next closest company received just over $600 million. This substantial investment could also advance the performance of ChatGPT and DALL-E in language processing and digital imagery, respectively.

☑️ AI and big data skills are the top priorities in company training strategies. AI and Big Data skills take center stage in corporate training strategies, ranking as the third overall priority for training until 2027. For companies with over 50,000 employees, these skills are the number one training focus. In regions like the United States, China, Brazil, and Indonesia, over 40% of technology training programs will focus on AI and Big Data.

☑️ Over 75% fear job loss from AI. Additionally, 44% are very concerned, and 33% are somewhat concerned. The concerns about job loss highlight the importance of reskilling programs, job transition support, and education to assist workers in adapting to changing job markets.

☑️ The average salary for AI professionals is $128,000. AI professionals typically earn a high salary, reflecting their specialized skills and the strong demand in the field. While the average salary across top positions is around $128,000, individual earnings can vary based on factors like experience and location.

☑️ By 2030, 30% of work hours across the US economy could be automated with AI. Thanks to AI implementation, more time and effort can be dedicated to creative and strategic tasks. Often, these tasks require more human input, resulting in a better allocation of business resources.

☑️ AI has the potential to boost workforce productivity and industry growth. AI’s impact on workforce productivity and industry growth is significant and varied, with potential increases ranging from 11% in Spain to 37% in Sweden. Across 16 industries, AI could boost economic growth rates by a weighted average of 1.7% by 2035.

☑️ Healthcare, finance, and manufacturing sectors have the biggest AI market share. For businesses in these sectors, AI gives them a competitive edge and helps them meet regulatory requirements more efficiently. For those considering a career shift or specialization, these sectors present promising opportunities for AI-related roles.

☑️ US companies dominate when it comes to industrial automation with AI. The dominance of American companies in industrial AI automation indicates the country’s innovation ecosystem and supportive policies. These companies include Apple, Google, IBM, and Microsoft.

☑️ Self-driving cars are expected to make up 10% of the global car fleet by 2030. This shift is expected to generate a substantial economic impact, with projected revenues ranging from $300 billion to $400 billion. Tesla is a significant player in this transformative automotive trend, driving forward the integration of self-driving technology in the global market.

☑️ The NLP market is expected to be worth over $40 billion in 2025. This projected growth of the NLP market illustrates its increasing integration into various industries, from the retail sector to healthcare. For businesses, this is an opportunity to invest in NLP technologies to gain a competitive edge in their field.

☑️ NLP-driven smart speaker market forecasted to surpass $15.6 billion. AI voice assistants like Siri and Alexa have become household names for NLP technologies. The market value indicates consumer acceptance and reliance on these devices for tasks ranging from setting reminders to home automation. For developers and entrepreneurs, this suggests an expanding arena for NLP applications beyond basic voice commands.

☑️ There are over 1800 NLP companies in the world. Startups and public software companies develop NLP for projects like business tools, data analytics, and AI telecommunications. Numerous companies in NLP development create a diverse, competitive landscape, providing varied options for business owners seeking specialized NLP solutions.

☑️ NLP is one of the most in-demand skills in the job market. AI knowledge is a significant advantage when looking for a new job. The high demand for NLP skills reflects its widespread application across industries. For professionals, this demand means an immediate opportunity to upskill, making them more marketable and versatile in a rapidly evolving job market and global workforce.

☑️ The generative AI market is expected to reach 1.3 trillion by 2032. Growth may reach 42% CAGR, propelled by training infrastructure in the short term and transitioning to inference devices for large language models, digital ads, specialized software, and services in the medium to long term.

☑️ Over 95% of executives agree that generative AI will revolutionize where and how AI is used. Generative AI represents a breakthrough in how you can apply the technology, extending its use beyond simple data analytics to new data generation and simulations. For business strategy, 44% of business leaders plan to modernize data to leverage GenAI better.

☑️ Generative AI drives significant impact in CustomerOps, marketing, engineering, and R&D. Examples include generative AI’s ability to support interactions with customers, develop creative content for marketing and sales, and generate computer code from natural-language prompts.

☑️ Generative AI boosts CustomerOps productivity. Some notable use cases include personalized customer support, automated responses, and real-time problem-solving, which collectively contribute to a more efficient and satisfying customer service environment.

☑️ Generative AI dominates US marketing and advertising. The technology sector follows closely behind marketing and advertising at 35%, with consulting at 30%. Generative AI in marketing and advertising is mainly used to generate images and text. Many brands use AI content generators to write blog posts, short ad copy, and other types of marketing assets faster.

☑️ Over 60% of Americans fear bias and potential discrimination in AI-assisted hiring processes. The public perception in the US shows that AI ethics is a mainstream issue. To begin with, people are afraid that AI technology might be biased. For policymakers and companies, this signals solid backing for AI regulation and guidelines ensuring equitable AI practices.

☑️ UNESCO establishes AI ethics with a global standard for responsible AI. Central to these guidelines is the importance of human oversight over AI systems to ensure that they adhere to core values such as fairness, transparency, and accountability. These standards help foster AI development that respects human rights and promotes social well-being, underscoring the critical need for ethical considerations in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

☑️ Women solely publish only 11% of global AI research. The limited diversity in AI research can reinforce biases and restrict the technology’s usefulness. Academia and the tech industry should take this statistic as a reminder to create more inclusive environments, so AI can give fairer output.

☑️ The AI industry is expected to be worth $826.70 billion by 2030. Over the next six years, the market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 28.46%, culminating in a value of $826.70 billion by 2030. This rapid growth underscores the increasing integration and reliance on AI technologies across various sectors globally.

☑️ AI and digital access fuel job growth in over 65% of surveyed businesses. Adopting AI is more likely to fuel job growth rather than eliminate jobs in the current economic landscape. Over 65% of businesses expect AI integration to boost job creation and economic development, with only around 7% predicting a labor market shrinkage from AI advancements.

☑️ Around 75% of businesses will embrace eCommerce and digital trade. Technologies like big data, cloud computing, and AI are anticipated to see high adoption rates due to their potential to enhance digital business operations. Additionally, a significant 86% of surveyed companies plan to integrate digital platforms and apps into their operations over the next five years.

☑️ The rise of AI training for employees. 50% of companies surveyed intend to invest in on-the-job and internal training departments for AI adoption. As a result, companies are investing in upskilling their workforce. For individuals, this presents an opportunity to engage in lifelong learning, enhancing their employability and career prospects in an AI-driven world.

☑️ AI tools expected to reach over 700 million users by 2030. AI tools are reshaping content creation, enhancing productivity, and simplifying workflows. They assist with tasks like article writing by suggesting edits, sparking new ideas, and even crafting full articles from basic prompts. This increased reliance on AI underscores a significant step in AI’s integration into our everyday digital tasks.

☑️ Data management is the AI infrastructure bottleneck. According to our study, 34% of business leaders experienced challenges with data quality and availability. This highlights the critical need for organizations to refine their data management strategies to capitalize on AI’s potential fully.

☑️ Main takeaways:

    • Artificial intelligence has helped businesses in various industries drive innovations, increase productivity, and connect better with their customers. Given its importance, it’s no wonder that companies plan to invest more in AI in upcoming years.

    • Still, there are some concerns that need to be addressed before companies can fully integrate AI into their operations. These include data privacy and security risks, as well as potential bias and discrimination in AI algorithms.

    • But as AI adoption continues to grow, one question arises: will AI take over our jobs? The truth is, some roles will be replaced completely with AI automation. But the technology will also create millions of new jobs, especially in the fields of data science, machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.

☑️ The AIRC project is active on Linkedin and can be accessed by clicking HERE