Gen AI casts a wider net

Generative AI (gen AI) hasn’t taken long to expand into new business functions. Senior partner Alex Singla and coauthors find that the number of organizations using gen AI in one or more functions rose from 56 percent in 2021 to 72 percent in early 2024. Additionally, the number of organizations using gen AI in at least five business functions jumped from 8 percent to 15 percent during that time. The biggest increase in adoption has been in professional services, such as HR, training, and R&D, the authors report.

Survey findings suggest that organizations are using AI in more business functions now than in previous years.

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A line graph shows the adoption of AI across various business functions within respondents’ organizations from 2021–24, with a general uptick in adoption across these functions in 2024: 72% of respondents are using AI in 1 or more functions, 50% in 2 or more functions, 27% in 3 or more functions, 15% in 4 or more functions, and 8% in 5 or more functions.

Footnote: In 2021, n = 1,843; in 2022, n = 1,492; in 2023, n = 1,684; in early 2024, n = 1,363.

Source: McKinsey Global Survey on AI, 1,363 participants at all levels of the organization, Feb 22–Mar 5, 2024.

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To read the survey, see “The state of AI in early 2024: Gen AI adoption spikes and starts to generate value,” May 30, 2024.