Generative AI Trends and Use Cases Report by Capgemini – Summary and Key Insights

The report is the second in Capgemini Research Institute’s annual research series examining generative AI trends and use cases. It discusses the rapid transformation of how we interact with technology as machines are now capable of mimicking creative human thought processes and synthesizing tailored content. This year’s research highlights an even quickening pace of implementation of generative AI at workplace with nearly one-quarter (24%) of organizations now integrating generative AI into some or most of their locations or functions. The report also analyzes shifts in generative AI adoption, investment levels and benefits that organizations have realized, with a spotlight on AI agents. Let’s check out the summary and key insights from this report.

Key Data Points:

1. 80% of organizations have increased their investment in generative AI in 2024 from 2023 with nearly one-quarter (24%) of organizations have integrated generative AI into some or most of their operations, up from 6% reported last year.  
2. In retail, the implementation increased to 40%, more than double from 17% which was reported in 2023.  
3. Average investment in generative AI is around $110 million in 2024.  
4. Adoption of generative AI has increased across all organizational domains, including IT (up to 27% from 4% the previous year), risk management, logistics, sales/customer operations, finance, product design/R&D, marketing, human resources and ESG/sustainability.  
5. 54% of organizations require employees to follow specific guidelines when using generative AI tools and 3% of organizations have even banned public generative AI tools in the workplace.  
6. Organizations have achieved benefits such as a 7.8% improvement in productivity on an average and a 6.7% improvement in customer engagement and satisfaction due to generative AI.  
7. Some organizations have even seen up to a 25% boost in productivity.  
8. Over half of organizations (54%) believe that generative AI has the potential to shift business strategy fundamentally, up from 39% in 2023.  
9. 74% of organizations agree that generative AI will drive revenue and innovation.  
10. Nearly three in five executives recognize the need for significant alterations to data collection, storage, retrieval, reusability, and governance to fully employ generative AI.  
11. 82% of organizations intend to integrate AI agents within 1-3 years.  
12. A majority (63%) of organizations would trust AI agents to analyze and synthesize data.  
13. 60% of organizations agree that, within the next 3–5 years, AI agents will generate most of the coding within organizations.  
14. 57% of organizations acknowledge the necessity of instituting robust control mechanisms before integrating AI agents into their operations.  
15. 24% of organizations are currently using small language models (SLMs), and 56% plan to use them in the next three years.  
16. Only 38% of organizations surveyed say they are deeply considering the ethical implications prior to adoption.  
17. 70% of organizations across sectors report that limited data and AI talent, skills, and knowledge is a major hindrance to generative AI adoption at scale.

Conclusion

As investment in and adoption of generative AI increases, it is becoming more important as a business and cultural phenomenon. Early adopters are already receiving some tangible benefits in efficiency and productivity and are driving strategic pivots in their business models. The emergence of novel tools and techniques like AI agents requires organizations to re-evaluate their strategic investments. Organizations must establish a robust framework for data governance and management, strengthen their data platforms and cultivate expertise through training and talent development. You can check out the full report by Capgemini here.