Business leaders have started 2024 with optimism about their organisation’s future growth compared to 12 months ago, according to a Capgemini report. The report, titled “Embracing a brighter future: Investment Priorities for 2024”, explores the investment plans of 2,000 business leaders, globally, for the next 12-18 months. From what it’s understood, customer experience, innovation, talent and skills, sustainability, and supply chains are business areas set to benefit from increased investment.
According to the report, 56% of business leaders retained confidence in their organisation’s future growth despite current macroeconomic headwinds, up from 42% 12 months ago. However, it’s believed that less than a third of them expressed optimism about the global operating environment. Based on the report’s data, AI is considered as a driver of innovation, as business leaders realise the power of AI and generative AI to drive innovation and unlock revenue growth, with 88% planning to focus on that technology. AI is expected to play a bigger role in critical decision-making, as business leaders expect that critical decision-making will be assisted by AI in five years from now. Reportedly, the life sciences industry appeared to be leading the way, with nearly half of critical decision-making expected to be supported by AI in five years. However, a majority of business leaders across sectors also emphasised on human judgement being more critical than ever in an AI-driven world. 61% of business leaders are believed to consider cybersecurity threats a risk to business growth, up from 39% in 2023.
“I believe our annual report on the sentiment and investment intentions of global business leaders provides cause for optimism at the start of 2024. Business leaders are beginning the year with a sense of confidence compared to 12 months ago, with technology and AI set to drive the next phase of the transition towards a more digital and sustainable global economy. We have only scratched the surface of what digital tools and technologies, in particular AI, can achieve to reach these business objectives,” Aiman Ezzat, chief executive officer, Capgemini, said.
