Have 88% of Global Firms Really Allocated AI Budgets? A Deep Dive!

New Delhi, June 30 (NationPress) Almost 88% of global enterprises now have dedicated budgets for Artificial Intelligence (AI), with nearly two-thirds allocating over 15% of their total tech budgets to AI initiatives, according to a new report released on Monday.

This significant investment shift indicates a transition from initial trials with Generative AI to developing intelligent, goal-driven systems referred to as AI agents, as per data collected by Nasscom.

The report, titled ‘Enterprise Experiments with AI Agents – 2025 Global Trends,’ offers an in-depth analysis of how organizations around the world are gearing up for the upcoming phase of AI integration.

Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Nasscom, stated that companies are at a pivotal moment.

“AI agents signify the next advancement in enterprise AI -- one that necessitates philosophical transformations in our understanding of work, intelligence, and autonomy,” she remarked.

However, she also noted that effectively scaling AI systems will demand robust trust, readiness in data management, and ongoing human supervision.

The study, based on feedback from over 100 businesses across 8-9 regions globally and spanning more than 10 sectors, illustrates how organizations are evolving from passive data analysis to more proactive AI systems capable of performing tasks and making decisions under human guidance.

The report indicates that companies are fortifying their AI infrastructure through investments in GenAI tools, data frameworks, and adaptable processes.

Numerous enterprises have established specialized AI teams and are partnering with advanced platforms, enhancing their technological frameworks to facilitate the deployment of AI agents.

Despite a high level of awareness regarding Generative AI, only half of the surveyed firms are currently fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) or foundational models for their specific requirements.

A key highlight of the report is the rising interest in Agentic AI -- systems that are designed to operate independently while still being supervised by humans.

Approximately 62% of organizations are exploring such AI agents, primarily for internal functions like IT operations, HR, and finance.

External applications, such as customer service, remain limited, with only 31% of enterprises utilizing Agentic AI in those domains.

Looking ahead, 88% of companies plan to allocate specific budgets for Agentic AI systems by 2025.

The report also indicates a cautious approach among businesses, with around 77% designing Agentic AI systems using a ‘human-in-the-loop’ strategy to ensure oversight and flexibility.

Only 46% are testing fully autonomous agents. Manufacturing firms appear to lead in adoption, employing AI for robotics, quality assurance, and other operational functions.

In terms of advantages, companies believe AI agents can facilitate quicker decision-making and enhance responsiveness to market fluctuations, as highlighted in the report.