Firms worldwide are accelerating capital spending on artificial intelligence, with global enterprise tech investment projected to grow by 18% in 2025. Oliver Wyman's latest analysis highlights strategic shifts across industries.
- Global AI-related enterprise investment projected at $370 billion in 2025, up 18% from 2024
- Productivity gains of 12–15% reported by firms using generative AI within first year
- North America accounts for 44% of global AI investment, followed by Europe (29%) and Asia-Pacific (27%)
- India and Brazil show over 60% year-on-year growth in AI adoption since 2023
- U.S. banks averaging $4.2 billion in AI project funding; European automakers planning $1.8 billion collective spend on smart manufacturing
Corporate investment in digital transformation and AI infrastructure is surging globally, driven by a wave of technological adoption and operational efficiency demands. According to recent industry assessments, enterprise spending on AI-related technologies is expected to reach $370 billion by the end of 2025, up from $313 billion in 2024. This marks a year-on-year increase of 18%, reflecting strong momentum across sectors including financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing. The analysis identifies three key drivers behind this spending spike: real-time data processing needs, automation of back-office operations, and competitive pressure to innovate. Firms investing in generative AI platforms report average productivity gains of 12–15% within the first year of deployment, particularly in customer service and supply chain logistics. Additionally, companies with established AI governance frameworks are experiencing faster return on investment, with payback periods averaging 14 months versus 22 months for those without formal structures. Geographically, North America leads in AI capital allocation, accounting for 44% of global investment, followed by Europe (29%) and Asia-Pacific (27%). However, growth rates are highest in emerging markets such as India and Brazil, where adoption has increased by over 60% since 2023. These regions are leveraging AI for scaling digital services, improving public sector delivery, and enhancing regional competitiveness. Financial institutions and industrial conglomerates are among the largest contributors. For example, major U.S. banks have allocated an average of $4.2 billion each to AI integration projects in 2025, while European auto manufacturers plan to spend $1.8 billion collectively on smart manufacturing systems using AI-driven predictive maintenance.