AI is advancing at lightning speed, and for business leaders, keeping up can feel like a full-time job. We’ve moved far beyond simple chatbots—AI is now positioned to transform nearly every aspect of business and society.
To understand where things stand, let’s start with one striking number: 78% of global companies are now using AI. In 2017, that figure was just 20%. This is not a slow and steady climb—it’s an explosion.
The takeaway? AI has officially graduated from the research lab. It is no longer a side project—it has become a core business driver, on par with the internet and mobile technology. The question for leaders is no longer if they should adopt AI, but rather how and how fast.
In this article, we’ll explore:
One of the most significant advancements is Agentic AI. Unlike traditional systems that respond to single commands, these agents can tackle complex goals—such as planning a product launch or fixing code vulnerabilities—by breaking them down into steps and executing them. Think of it as a virtual employee.
Analysts predict that by 2028, Agentic AI could handle 15% of our day-to-day business decisions.
This leap forward comes from advanced reasoning capabilities. Earlier AI models were essentially sophisticated pattern matchers. Newer systems use step-by-step reasoning, making their processes more transparent and trustworthy.
Another breakthrough is multimodal AI. Instead of relying solely on text, these systems can interpret sight, sound, and language. Imagine customer support that can analyze a photo of a broken product, listen to your explanation, and guide you through a solution. This makes AI interactions feel far more natural.
In the past, AI was locked away in IT departments, requiring specialized data scientists. Now, no-code and low-code platforms empower employees across all departments—marketing, HR, operations—to create custom AI tools.
By 2025, it’s estimated that 70% of new applications will be built using these democratized tools. This shift allows innovation to come directly from the people who understand business challenges best.
We’re also seeing a move away from massive general-purpose models toward smaller, domain-specific models. For example, BloombergGPT, built for finance, outperforms broader models in its niche. The lesson? Smarter often beats bigger.
AI is no longer just about automation; it’s about augmentation. The best analogy is a co-pilot: AI can take on repetitive tasks—writing emails, summarizing reports, crunching numbers—while humans focus on creativity, strategy, and complex problem-solving.
This partnership enables businesses to reallocate time and resources toward higher-value work.
As AI grows more powerful, governments are racing to regulate it. The EU’s AI Act is setting global standards, and new regulations are emerging in the US, Canada, China, and beyond.
The challenge? Less than half of businesses are prepared for the regulations already in place. Governance is no longer optional—it is a critical business priority. Leaders must ask: Is my organization ready?
Here’s how organizations can adapt and thrive:
The AI revolution isn’t on the horizon—it’s already here. The line is being drawn between organizations that will adapt and thrive, and those that will be left behind.
The tools are becoming easier to use, the opportunities are expanding, and the choice is clear: will you lead this revolution, or be overtaken by it?