Organizations are moving beyond the initial stages of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, with many in the Asia-Pacific (Apac) region aiming to achieve their desired return on investment (ROI) by 2025, according to the latest study from tech giant IBM.
The new report, titled “Apac AI Outlook 2025,” was commissioned by IBM and conducted by Ecosystm, a research and advisory company. It revealed that nearly 60% of surveyed organizations across the Apac region anticipate realizing the benefits of their AI investments within two to five years, while only 11% expect returns within the next two years.
The findings indicate that organizations view AI as a long-term investment, with scaling up seen as essential to maximizing its potential. To achieve this, many are expected to prioritize deploying impact-driven use cases and integrating generative AI (GenAI) into core business processes.
The report also noted a potential rise in demand for open-source AI models as alternatives to existing applications. These “rightsized AI” solutions require less complex skill sets for design and deployment, while offering a smaller carbon footprint compared to large language models (LLMs).
This democratization of AI is likely to encourage enterprises across the region to adopt open-source models for innovation. These models not only streamline management processes but also offer greater flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced security.
The Outlook further highlighted the growing role of agentic AI in simplifying repetitive tasks and collaborating with employees. IBM expects this setup to improve operational efficiency, customer experiences, and decision-making.
Despite concerns about job displacement, the report emphasized that AI technologies will assist employees in performing their roles more effectively. Human-centric innovations will focus on automation while unlocking employees’ creative potential.
“By prioritizing the empathetic design of AI solutions, organizations can also foster stronger customer relationships and enhance brand loyalty,” the report concluded.