Generative AI has emerged as the top technology budget priority for 2025, overtaking cybersecurity, according to a global survey commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS). The study, conducted by Access Partnership, included responses from 3,739 senior IT decision-makers across nine countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan, and India. The survey revealed that 90% of organizations already utilize generative AI tools in some capacity, nearly half advancing beyond initial experimentation to full integration.
Mark Pathak, AWS VP of Data & AI Go-to-Market, emphasized the rapid adoption of AI, stating, “The fact that nine out of 10 organizations are looking at this actively and implementing it — you can’t afford to wait around.
Despite generative AI’s rise in importance, Pathak stressed that security remains a top concern within AI projects, particularly in data protection and responsible AI use. AWS is significantly invested in AI technologies, including its Bedrock platform for AI models.
Generative AI budget priorities for 2025
The study highlighted several key findings, including the emergence of new leadership roles. 60% of organizations have already appointed a Chief AI Officer or a similar role. Additionally, 44% of organizations have moved beyond pilot programs and are starting to use generative AI in real workflows. The survey also focused on skills, with over half of organizations launching training programs and 92% planning to hire people with generative AI experience in 2025.
Most companies are combining existing AI models with custom tools, rather than developing new models from scratch, and about two-thirds of organizations expect to bring in outside vendors to assist with their AI tool deployment. Pathak’s reflections on the survey underscore the transformative impact of AI on businesses, and he contends that ignoring this trend could be detrimental to organizational competitiveness shortly. The full report is accessible through AWS for those interested in a deeper dive into the survey.
A seasoned technology executive with a proven record of developing and executing innovative strategies to scale high-growth SaaS platforms and enterprise solutions. As a hands-on CTO and systems architect, he combines technical excellence with visionary leadership to drive organizational success.
