The adoption of AI in large organizations is still in its early stages, with only 18% of companies worldwide leading in the integration and optimization of this technology to improve their efficiency and innovation. In the case of Spain, AI maturity has a score of 0.4298, placing the country in penultimate place among the eight EMEA markets analyzed, only ahead of France (0.4249).

AI Business Maturity Index, ServiceNow

This is highlighted by the “AI Business Maturity Index” from ServiceNow. Where it is revealed that, although Spain occupies seventh place, the difference with better positioned countries such as Italy (0.4432) and Germany (0.4431) is minimal, which indicates progress in the implementation of AI in Spanish organizations, aligning with global trends. In fact, 78% of those surveyed in Spain recognize a clear vision of the transformation that AI can bring to their companies.

The implementation of AI in Spain

Spain stands out among the European markets with the highest expectations of an increase in investments in AI in the short and medium term, with 81% of local respondents expecting an increase, compared to an average of 77% in the EMEA region. Furthermore, 80% of Spanish managers recognize the potential of AI to improve efficiency and productivity, demonstrating a strong commitment to the adoption of this technology.

However, a lack of AI talent and skills is a common challenge in the EMEA region. Only 31% of organizations claim to have the right combination of professional profiles and artificial intelligence capabilities. Additionally, 53% of respondents in EMEA and 49% in Spain are working to identify the skills needed to maximize the potential of AI and improve efficiency and competitiveness.

In Spain, the majority of the organizations consulted (78%) have a clear vision of the transformative power of AI

In Spain, the most in-demand technological profiles are AI configuration specialists (56%), followed by data scientists (48%) and machine learning experts (44%). This reflects the growing need for professionals with specific skills in advanced technologies and data-driven sectors.

Lessons from AI Pioneering Companies

Although most organizations are still developing their AI implementation, the study highlights a group of pioneering companies that are leading in this area. These companies, called “pacesetters,” stand out in five parameters of the AI ​​Maturity Index:

  1. AI Strategy and Leadership: Leading companies have a clear strategy for implementing AI, with 67% of their leaders well informed on the topic and 65% having a clear vision of how AI can transform their business.
  2. Workflow integration: These companies allow AI to transform the way they work, using the technology in key tasks such as data management and cleaning.
  3. Talent and workforce: Pioneering companies invest in suitable talent and continuous training, with requalification programs and specific AI workshops.
  4. AI governance: They implement governance and privacy policies, acquire technologies for data integration and optimization, and establish controls to protect sensitive data.
  5. Value creation: They measure the success of AI by the value generated, with 84% of pioneers reporting increases in efficiency or productivity and 83% in revenue growth.
Alex Chen
Alex Chen

Alex Chen serves as the chief editor of Asia Tech Journal, bringing over a decade of experience in technology journalism. Previously writing for several globally renowned publications, Alex is celebrated for his insightful analyses and in-depth reporting on tech trends across Asia. Passionate about innovation, Alex specializes in the dynamic technology ecosystem of China and its global impacts.