Mexican Companies Will Prioritize AI Integration in 2025: PwC

In 2025, companies in Mexico will enter a critical phase of AI adoption, focusing on talent training, process optimization, and strategic implementation of this technology. According to PwC's Global CEO Survey 2025, 40% of CEOs in the country anticipate that AI will be systematically integrated into their operations within the next three years.

"AI is no longer a futuristic concept that only existed in science fiction or theories. Today it has become an essential tool in the business arsenal, transforming not only how companies operate, but also how they interact with their customers, manage their resources and, of course, how they increase their revenue and market influence," Shelley Pursell, Marketing Director for Latin America, Iberia, tells MBN.

According to PwC's Global Investor Survey 2024, 66% of global investors expect Generative AI (GenAI) to increase the productivity of the companies they invest in over the next 12 months. This figure reflects the growing expectation of the impact of AI on operational efficiency and value generation within organizations.

In Mexico, progress has been slow but steady. In 2024, companies were in a stage of exploration, testing of specific use cases, revolutionizing many sectors by automating processes, optimizing resources, and generating new business models. However, its mass adoption faces structural limitations, as the gap between supply and demand for skilled professionals and regulatory uncertainty could hinder its deployment, as MBN previously reported.

By 2025, the focus will shift to strategic integration, prioritizing internal capability development, adoption of AI-based operating models, and alignment with international standards, says PwC. Factors driving this transition include the need to improve operational efficiency, growth in technology investment, and evolving regulatory frameworks in key markets such as the United States and the European Union. While Mexico still lacks specific AI regulation, companies can prepare in advance by adopting best practices in data governance and responsible use of technology.

AI as a Strategic Tool

AI has become a key tool in the optimization of business processes. Its effective application, according to PwC, can generate productivity improvements of up to 20%, reduce operating costs by up to 25%, and accelerate data-driven decision making.

To achieve its successful implementation, Mexican companies will have to move from identifying individual use cases to integrating AI into the fulfillment of their corporate strategy. This approach involves not only the development of technological solutions, but also the establishment of continuous evaluation and adjustment processes to ensure their relevance and effectiveness.

In 2025, the adoption of AI will require a diversified approach to project management, considering different levels of implementation and scope. PwC identifies three key categories that will mark the evolution of this technology in companies: incremental projects, also known as roofshots, to optimize existing processes; transformational projects, called moonshot, which involve developing AI solutions from scratch to address specific challenges; and scalability strategies to integrate AI into multiple operational areas to maximize its impact at the organizational level. 

"Companies should evaluate which model best aligns with their business objectives and technology capabilities, ensuring that AI implementation generates tangible value," reads the Global CEO Survey 2025.

Key Factors for Effective Integration

To harness the potential of AI in 2025, PwC says that Mexican companies will need to consider three key aspects:

• Governance and risk management: The creation of a standardized risk taxonomy will facilitate the identification and mitigation of potential negative impacts of AI on automated decision making.

• Value strategy and operational efficiency: Combining a value engineering strategy with optimized AI models will enable continuous process improvement and cost reduction without compromising quality.

• Controlled access and strategic alignment: While basic AI functionalities can be available to all employees, advanced applications must be implemented selectively, ensuring alignment with business objectives and the quality of the data used.

The international regulatory landscape may also influence the adoption of AI in Mexico. The flexibility in federal regulation in the United States and the growing investment in AI globally open opportunities for Mexican companies looking to innovate and expand their technological capacity. However, increasing restrictions on the commercialization of AI chips imposed by the United States could limit the strengthening of the industry, although experts point out that the maturity of the Mexican ecosystem is not in a position to be significantly affected.

Internally, anticipation of future regulations will allow organizations to establish solid standards in data management and responsible AI integration. In addition, the creation of specialized roles, such as the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), can strengthen the strategy and oversight of AI implementation within companies, reports PwC.