Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses and is the technology they are most excited about. But two new studies show that a digital skills gap could slow companies' digital adoption.
More than 95% of more than 1,000 companies in France, Germany, the UK and the US say integrating new technology is important to their competitiveness, according to a study by Viva Technology, a Paris-based technology and startup event. Masu. (VivaTech) and consulting firm Wavestone.
More than 60% of companies said AI is the most promising technology, followed by cybersecurity and cloud computing.
“This means that today they know the stakes and are ready to act,” said François Bituzet, managing director of VivaTech.
“It's not funding that's holding them back, but rather talent. They're [businesses] 45 percent of them told us that they fear they don't have the talent to carry out these digital transformations,” he told EuronewsNext.
According to another report from Amazon Web Services (AWS), the adoption of AI is predicted to bring growth of 600 billion euros to the European economy, but small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are relying on this technology to find the right talent. states that there are significant barriers to implementation. , regulatory concerns, and implementation costs.
“Europe is on the brink of unprecedented opportunity,” said Tanuja Randery, Managing Director, AWS Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
“Companies are recognizing the benefits of AI for their growth and productivity. Small and medium-sized enterprises account for more than half of Europe’s GDP, making it extremely difficult to address the challenges hindering their digitalization. It is important.”
ethics and regulations
“To realize the full potential of AI, it is essential that Europe provides the digital skills support and regulatory certainty to support the ambitions of businesses of all shapes and sizes.”
VivaTech's research also showed that AI adoption is not the only thing businesses are concerned about.
They are also concerned about mistakes, misinformation and fake news that AI can cause, with 77% of companies saying they need to act responsibly when using AI, and that privacy and ethical issues are also important to them. doing.
“They expect regulation and a regulatory framework, which is very important to them,” Bitudze said, adding, “They expect the government to play a role in establishing a level playing field that is equal for everyone. I believe there is a role to play,” he added.
When it comes to technologies that are waning in popularity, blockchain has taken a hit as cybersecurity, AI and cloud computing become bigger priorities for businesses.
But paradoxically, AI has the potential to breathe new life into technologies like blockchain.
“One of the themes of generative artificial intelligence is the possibility of creating images and fake news,” Bitouzet said.
“I think artificial intelligence is going to give new meaning to the essence of blockchain, which is verification and authentication in an industrial way, because industrial solutions to know what is true and what is false are Because you will need it.”
