The use of artificial intelligence in business is not new. Companies have been using AI for years to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
However, the recent increase in generative AI market has helped make AI a mainstream commercial technology. Specifically, large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and Midjourney are helping to increase AI adoption rates.
With this in mind, we will cover the following points:
Companies Using AI Statistics (Top Picks)
- 40% of global companies are currently using AI
- 82% of global companies are using or exploring the use of AI in their organization
- India has the highest AI adoption rate (around 59% companies)
- The global AI market is expected to reach $1.85 a thousand billion by 2030
- Big companies are 2x more likely to use AI than small businesses
What percentage of companies will use AI in 2024?
According to the latest data, 40% of global companies report using AI in their operations.
Notably, 42% of companies reported exploring the use of AI within their business and another 40% are exploring the use of AI technologies in their business.
This means that more than 82% of companies are using or exploring the use of AI.
There is 333.34 million businesses worldwide, which means more than 266 million companies are using or exploring AI in their business operations.
In 2017, only 20% companies have integrated AI into their product offerings and business operations. But 72% of these companies believed that AI would have an impact on their business within 5 years.
Here’s a closer look at the percentage of companies using AI in at least one business function since 2017, according to a study McKinsey & Company investigation:
| Year | Percentage of companies |
| 2017 | 20% |
| 2018 | 47% |
| 2019 | 58% |
| 2020 | 50% |
| 2021 | 56% |
| 2022 | 50% |
| 2023 | 55% |
| 2024 | 72% |
Over the past five years, AI usage has leveled off after rapid growth from 2017 to 2018. However, adoption has increased rapidly from 2022 to 2024.
688 new AI startups were launched in Q1 2022. In Q1 2023, only 269 AI startups have been launched. This is a 69% drop year after year.
However, there was a 300% increase in small seed AI products launching in Q1 2023.
Another figure that is expected to increase is the total number of jobs in the AI sector. By 2023, 83% AI startups had fewer than 10 employees.
Source: McKinsey, IBM, Forbes, Sort List
Activity and implementation data
As AI technology evolves, businesses are finding new ways to integrate it into their operations. The most common use of AI currently is in customer service. 56% of business owners are using AI for customer service tasks.
Here’s a look at the most common ways businesses are using AI:
| # | Commercial function | Share |
| 1 | Customer service | 56% |
| 2 | Cybersecurity and Fraud Prevention | 51% |
| 3 | Digital assistants | 47% |
| 4 | Customer relationship management | 46% |
| 5 | Inventory management | 40% |
| 6 | Content creation | 35% |
| 7 | Product Recommendations | 33% |
| =8 | Accounting | 30% |
| =8 | Supply Chain Operations | 30% |
| 10 | Recruitment | 26% |
Source: Forbes
Global AI Adoption by Region
By 2024, India is the world leader in full deployment of AI in enterprises. 59% companies have implemented AI.
The United Arab Emirates is the second largest country, with 58% companies using AI, followed by Singapore at 53%.
Surprisingly, the United States has one of the lowest AI adoption rates, with only 33% companies using AI.
Here’s a full breakdown of AI adoption rates by global enterprises:
| Country | AI deployment rate | AI Exploration Rate |
| China | 50% | 36% |
| India | 59% | 27% |
| Canada | 37% | 48% |
| Italy | 36% | 38% |
| Singapore | 53% | 41% |
| United Arab Emirates | 58% | 32% |
| Global | 42% | 40% |
| Germany | 32% | 44% |
| France | 26% | 45% |
| Spain | 28% | 51% |
| Latin America (Region) | 47% | 34% |
| United Kingdom | 37% | 41% |
| UNITED STATES | 33% | 38% |
| Australia | 29% | 50% |
| South Korea | 40% | 48% |
| Japan | 34% | 46% |
AI Adoption Statistics and Market Growth Projections
The AI market is expected to reach $1.85 a thousand billion by 2030.
Overall, the AI space is expected to grow at a rate 37.3% CAGR of 2024 to 2030.
Big companies are twice as much likely to adopt and deploy AI technologies in their business than small businesses. In 2021, that number was just 69%.
In fact, more than 50% of U.S. companies with more than 5,000 employees are currently using AI. This number is increasing 60% for companies with more than 10,000 employees.
Overall, large-scale organizations make up the majority of businesses using AI. Today, 42% companies with more than 1,000 employees use AI.
Source: Forbes, Next Move Strategy Consulting, MIT Sloan, IBM
The Future of AI Use in Business
Artificial intelligence can significantly increase the efficiency of businesses. According to 2024 data, AI saves one employee 2.5 hours per day on average.
Business owners are also saving money with AI. 28% Business leaders have used AI to reduce costs in their business.
Employees with AI skills are expected to experience a booming job market in the future. 66% Business owners and executives have already hired an employee to implement new AI or leverage existing AI processes.
Source: HubSpot
Conclusion
The AI market is growing rapidly and the percentage of companies using AI continues to grow with it.
As businesses look to reduce costs and increase efficiencies, enterprise spending on AI tools and overall AI adoption will likely continue to grow.
If you’re interested in the future of AI and want to learn more, check out these related articles: AI Market Size And Top AI Trends.
