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Increasing adoption of artificial intelligence could lead to a significant uptick in business innovation and profitability, an international survey has revealed.
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AI adoption key to unlocking long-term business profitability, survey reveals
25 February 2025
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8 minute read
New research from HLB International has cast a light on the positive impact global businesses are experiencing from an increased uptake in artificial intelligence (AI).
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According to HLB Mann Judd, the Survey of Business Leaders 2025 demonstrated the pressing need for business owners around the world to “move with the times” and adapt to technological advances.
The survey was compiled from insights of over 1,200 leaders across 50-plus countries, supported by expert interviews, the firm said.
Results highlighted 69 per cent of business leaders around the world would rate AI as the most important technology over the next five years, up from 65 per cent last year, HLB Mann Judd Melbourne partner Kapil Kukreja said.
“Business leaders increasingly see AI as an essential tool, not just for improving business efficiency and profitability but also for improving the capacity and training for their workforces,” he said.
“Globally, 71 per cent of leaders say they are focusing on using AI for predictive analytics to track future trends, while 55 per cent are using AI to improve business agility.”
Kukreja noted the survey results made it clear that business leaders had “fine-tuned” their approach to AI and were modernising their operating models to enable new ways of working and technology-driven innovation.
Forty-four per cent of profitable companies were shown to be ahead of the AI maturity curve in the survey, as business leaders had recognised the need to adapt and act quickly.
Simple technological advances, such as the doubling of computer processing powers, were the simple tasks that could help accelerate innovation cycles, Kukreja said.
“Many leaders have refined their approach, transitioning from broad experience experimentation with technology to targeted strategies aimed at enhancing the performance of their workforces, analytics, and ultimately profitability,” he said.
“Profitability is essential for the growth and sustainability of any enterprise, particularly given the current market conditions that are demanding greater agility. AI is increasingly used as part of business strategy.”
In addition to being proactive with the changing technological landscape, business leaders have also engaged in cultural transformation, according to HLB.
Results showed that profitable businesses were intentional about fostering a culture of innovation, which included collaboration, breaking silos, leveraging AI and data analytics, to help grasp a better understanding of market trends and customer behaviour.
Kukreja said these actions created a fertile ground for sustained profit and recommended for all business leaders to focus more on these to increase their profitability.
“Furthermore, investment in people is also important, with 55 per cent of profit accelerators focusing on learning and development to improve the effectiveness of their workforce. Nearly half of profit accelerators report having a high performing and engaged workforce.”
“The 2025 HLB Survey of Business Leaders’ findings reveal that the most profitable companies, or those with profit growth of 5 per cent to 10 per cent or more, stand out for their agility and technology focus.”
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