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Businesses spend on Artificial Intelligence tools rockets in first quarter of 2024
Soldo ’ s Spring Spend Index reveals the extent to which UK businesses are rushing to invest in AI in a bid to usher in a new era of technology-driven productivity . Based on Soldo ’ s data , since Q1 2023 , AI investment has surged an astonishing 2.75x with companies spending 449 % more on AI compared to the same period last year .
OPENAI ’ S CHATGPT DOMINATES THE MARKET , ACCOUNTING FOR 63 % OF OVERALL AI SPEND WHILE MIDJOURNEY LEADS IMAGE GENERATION WITH 12 %.
In its most revealing study yet , the Spring Index – a quarterly study of company expenditure habits in more than 18,000 organisations using Soldo – reveals business spend at the start of the year is up a healthy 8 % year-on-year , largely driven by investments in technology as businesses look at ways for reducing the burden on overstretched employees .
Which AI tools are businesses investing in
OpenAI ’ s ChatGPT dominates the market , accounting for 63 % of overall AI spend while Midjourney leads image generation with 12 %. Otter . ai ’ s transcription services take 5 % of the spend , followed closely by Fireflies . ai which transcribes and summarises meetings and provides vocal analysis to quantify meeting outcomes and sentiment . The remaining 17 % is split between around 80 different AI services .
Additionally , the study highlights that marketing departments are taking the lead
in AI spending with content creation and production-related activity accounting for almost half of AI suppliers alone .
While on the surface this suggests an increasing awareness of the many uses of AI , this growth is indicative of a broader trend – one that reflects the strategic imperative for businesses to remain competitive in an evolving economic and business landscape .
“ Adopting AI can give employees a muchneeded productivity boost , which unlocks crucial competitive edge for businesses . However , as businesses continue to invest in AI tools , the productivity gains from the technology will soon be the norm , not a differentiator ,” said Brandon Till , Head of Business Solutions at Soldo .
“ As businesses open up to using AI tools , the key to it being used effectively will be finding the sweet spot between control and flexibility . Innovation is happening fast , from all over the business , and employees want to be empowered to explore and create more efficient ways to work . They cannot afford to waste time getting stuck in long procurement processes . That ’ s where finance comes in . They can ensure employees have access to the AI resources they need , while at the same time keeping a close eye on spending and make sure the business is getting its money ’ s worth . Finance teams are often the watchdog for data compliance , so they have to lead the charge to empower employees responsibly .” x
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