Companies Double Down on AI, Open Source: IBM

Companies are increasingly committing to long-term investments in artificial intelligence (AI), with many turning to open-source ecosystems to boost financial performance and innovation, according to a new study commissioned by IBM. The survey collected insights from over 2,400 IT decision-makers globally, including Mexico.

Findings show that 85% of respondents have made progress on their 2024 AI strategies, with nearly half already seeing positive returns on investment (ROI). Open-source tools appear to play a critical role in these successes with 51% of organizations using open-source AI solutions achieving positive ROI, compared to 41% of those relying on proprietary alternatives.  

Looking ahead, companies plan to expand their AI initiatives, as most indicate they will increase AI investments in 2025. Among those, 39% expect to boost spending by between 25% and 50%. Open-source ecosystems are central to these strategies, with nearly half of surveyed organizations intending to adopt open-source tools as part of their AI implementations next year.  

The survey revealed a clear preference for strategic allocation of AI budgets, with IT operations emerging as a priority for most respondents. Other areas of focus include data quality management and product or service innovation. To optimize these investments, organizations are also emphasizing managed cloud services and hiring specialized talent.  

Open source continues to gain traction, with six in every 10 respondents already leveraging these ecosystems. Larger enterprises, in particular, are more likely to base the majority of their AI platforms on open-source solutions. 

Despite significant progress, companies are increasingly adopting non-traditional metrics to measure AI success. Faster software development, enhanced innovation, and productivity gains ranked among the top indicators of ROI. Hard-dollar savings, often associated with conventional ROI assessments, were cited less frequently.  

While nearly half of respondents reported positive financial outcomes from their AI efforts, others noted that such benefits might take time to materialize. Among those not yet seeing returns, 92% expect to achieve positive ROI within three years.  

As AI adoption accelerates, findings underscore a shift in corporate priorities. Organizations are balancing innovation and financial viability while increasingly recognizing the potential of open-source ecosystems to drive efficiency and growth.