New global research from Accenture has assessed several companies around the world via an AI maturity index on a 0-100 scale.

According to the research, AI maturity is the degree to which organisations outperform their peers in a combination of AI-related foundational and differentiating capabilities. These capabilities include the technology – data, AI, cloud – as well as organisational strategy, responsible AI, C-suite sponsorship, talent, and culture.

Currently, European organisations have a median AI maturity score of 37, which is on par with the global average of 36 and ahead of US organisations (31).

By 2024, European organisations are projected to have reached a score of 53 – versus 50 across companies globally and 49 in the US.

However, around 64% of EU firms are only experimenting with AI, creating significant opportunities for value on their journey to AI maturity, with an overall AI maturity score of 31.

Somewhat advanced in their level of AI maturity are the AI Innovators (16%), scoring 50, and AI Builders (9%), at 42. Just 12% are AI Achievers – organisations that are using AI to outpace their competitors – their relatively high AI maturity correlates with 50% higher revenue growth than their peers.

Tech firms already have a high AI maturity score of 54, which is set to rise to 60 in 2024, but still position them at the pinnacle of AI maturity across all industries. Carmakers and the automotive sector will increase from a 39 to 57 over the next two years — based on a surge in sales of AI-powered self-driving vehicles.

Commenting on the index, Gavin Stephenson, UK lead for Applied Intelligence at Accenture, said: “The projected future AI maturity is a promising sign that investments from both businesses and governments alike across Europe are starting to pay off. However, business leaders should not get complacent.

“Europe is a powerhouse for industries that are driving much of this projected growth in AI maturity over the next two years. Every organisation will need to invest ambitiously in AI to maintain this lead over the longer term, and leaders must ensure that it is fully embedded into their business strategy if they want to gain a strong competitive advantage.”

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The research raises important questions about how Scottish businesses perform against their global peers and where opportunities lie. For Scotland to achieve its aim of being a beacon of AI, its business networks and their partnerships with government and academia will become increasingly important.

Accenture’s Applied Intelligence team in Scotland assessed the Scottish market based on the research criteria, and its conclusion reflects the wider research.

While a lot has been done to improve AI maturity, there are clear differences between individual industries and companies within them. The AI ecosystem is strong in Scotland, which provides the platform that will enable Scottish companies to become AI maturity leaders.

Mark Byrne, Head of Applied Intelligence Scotland at Accenture: “Scotland has been leading the way in technology for years. Already our unique and close-knit data and AI network, which encompasses close partnerships between government, the universities, and businesses, has proven that the model is working as Scotland is a data talent hub for AI experimentation and impact.

“What is clear from this research is the sheer scale of both business and societal requirements for AI improvement, and efficiency. But rather than see this as the ‘scale of the problem’ we can think of it as the ‘scale of the opportunity’.

“To do that we must double down on the gains that we have made and ensure that our Scottish ecosystem continues to grow and filter into our businesses and industries for the benefit of all.”

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