The State of AI 2024 by Forrester reveals the uneven rise of generative AI adoption across regions due to varied strategic priorities, regulatory environments, and risk tolerances. Moreover, it found that more than half of enterprise AI decision-makers report investing between $200,000 and $400,000 in genAI to date.
State of AI in APAC
The research reflects a pragmatic, value-driven approach to AI investment in the Asia Pacific, with enterprises more likely to shift spending from predictive AI to genAI·
Moreover, APAC leaders are prioritising employee productivity and customer experience, but they also lead slightly on data literacy (50%).
Organisations in the region also focus on accelerating engineering capabilities, with 43% of APAC respondents using genAI in software development.
APAC firms report a lack of technical skills as a key barrier to AI adoption, signalling a pressing need for workforce enablement in the region.
Finally, AI ROI expectations vary in the region, with half of enterprises expecting returns within 1–3 years while 38% target a 3–5 year timeframe.
"Generative AI continues to spur conversation and investment across industries, albeit at varying levels, depending on regional priorities and challenges. Companies that strategically align their AI efforts with measurable outcomes, focusing on customer experience and employee productivity, are already reaping returns. However, addressing barriers such as data privacy, governance, and skill shortages is critical to ensuring that AI investments deliver sustainable value," Frederic Giron, VP senior research director at Forrester, said.
