AI is rapidly evolving across various sectors, presenting both opportunities and challenges. OurCrowd anticipates 2025 as a breakthrough year for AI, leveraging it extensively, with successful exits from AI-driven companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Databricks. However, Gartner reports that generative AI in procurement is facing a 'trough of disillusionment' due to integration issues and fragmented data. The Ai4 2025 conference in Las Vegas highlighted agentic AI and automation platforms, but EY's AI Pulse Survey indicates slow adoption of agentic AI due to unclear use cases. MongoDB is enhancing its AI infrastructure, while Lendflow and Intellect are launching AI-driven solutions for embedded lending and banking, respectively. The White House aims to streamline procurement by cutting regulations, while NIST plans AI security control overlays. Bill Frauenhofer now leads the CHIPS Program Office, managing $39 billion for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Companies like ServiceTitan are using AI to optimize sales and dispatching, and security experts at Black Hat believe AI can significantly aid in cyber defense, with Microsoft developing 'Project Ire' for malware detection. Ropes & Gray is training its staff, including summer associates, in AI applications, while an ARIZONA@WORK committee stresses AI skills for job seekers. Delhi University is partnering with Google Cloud to provide AI training to students. Despite the enthusiasm, AI deployment often incurs unexpected costs related to infrastructure, integration, and compliance, sometimes exceeding the cost of the AI models themselves. CEOs are keen on AI adoption but often need better understanding, with some using tools like Gemini and ChatGPT for business insights.
Key Takeaways
- OurCrowd predicts 2025 will be a breakthrough year for AI, citing their investments in Anthropic, OpenAI, and Databricks.
- Gartner reports that generative AI in procurement is in a 'trough of disillusionment' due to integration and data issues.
- The Ai4 2025 conference showcased agentic AI, but EY's survey reveals slow adoption due to unclear use cases.
- The White House is cutting regulations to ease government procurement, while NIST is creating AI security control overlays.
- ServiceTitan uses AI to optimize sales lead distribution and automate dispatching for its customers.
- Black Hat security experts believe AI is beneficial for cyber defense, with Microsoft developing 'Project Ire' for malware detection.
- Ropes & Gray is training its staff, including summer associates, on how to use AI in their work.
- An ARIZONA@WORK committee emphasizes the importance of AI skills for job seekers.
- Delhi University is partnering with Google Cloud to train students in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
- AI deployment costs often exceed initial estimates due to infrastructure, integration, and compliance requirements.
Gartner Report AI in Procurement Faces Adoption Challenges
A Gartner analysis says that using AI in business tasks like sourcing is promising but faces challenges. Generative AI for procurement is in a 'trough of disillusionment' because many companies aren't seeing the expected benefits. Fragmented data and integration issues can make it hard to get accurate results. Gartner uses the Hype Cycle to show the maturity of AI in procurement, noting that while AI can boost productivity, companies need a strategic approach.
OurCrowd sees 2025 as AI breakthrough year
OurCrowd's AI expert Guy Dassa says 2025 is a breakthrough year for AI. He believes AI is changing how industries work and create value. OurCrowd uses AI in almost every part of its operations, from finding new investments to managing its portfolio. They've had 11 exits from AI-driven companies, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Databricks. Dassa says evaluating AI startups requires understanding the technology and its real-world performance.
Ai4 Vegas highlights emerging AI solutions for businesses
The Ai4 2025 conference in Las Vegas showcased new AI technologies for businesses. Agentic AI, automation platforms, embedded finance, and AI infrastructure were key topics. EY's AI Pulse Survey showed that while AI investment is up, agentic AI adoption is slow due to unclear use cases and integration issues. MongoDB is improving its AI infrastructure with new models and partnerships. Lendflow launched an AI Automation Suite for embedded lending, and Intellect introduced Purple Fabric for banking operations.
White House to cut rules NIST plans AI security
The White House is working to remove one-third of Federal Acquisition Regulation rules to make buying products and services easier for government agencies. NIST is planning to create five AI security control overlays to address risks in AI systems, including generative AI. Bill Frauenhofer is now the director of the CHIPS Program Office, which will manage $39 billion to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. The U.S. Army is using AI to improve decision-making and battlefield awareness.
CEOs want AI but need to understand it better
Many CEOs want their companies to use AI, but they may not fully understand it themselves. Some CEOs are having junior employees show senior leaders how they use AI to improve different business areas. Younger employees often adopt AI faster than older executives. Companies are using tactics like demos and dedicated time at retreats to help executives become more comfortable with AI. Some executives are using AI tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to research and get advice on business decisions.
ServiceTitan uses AI to build sales machine
ServiceTitan is using AI to change how they operate and improve customer results. They use a merit-based system to distribute leads to the sales reps most likely to close them. AI analyzes each rep's performance based on quota, efficiency, and quality. This system creates competition and encourages better performance. ServiceTitan also uses AI to automate dispatching for its customers, helping them grow without adding more overhead.
Black Hat security pros say AI helps defenders
Security experts at the Black Hat conference are optimistic about using AI to defend against cyberattacks. They mentioned bug-bounty programs and automated code-flaw discoveries as early AI wins. AI can help defenders more than attackers because it can scale technologies across large amounts of code. Microsoft is developing an AI agent called 'Project Ire' to reverse-engineer software and find malicious code. Experts believe AI will help enforce cybersecurity and shut down attacks faster.
Ropes & Gray teaches summer associates to use AI
Ropes & Gray gave its summer associates training on how to use AI in their work. The summer associates then used what they learned on projects for the firm. Ropes & Gray is training not only its summer associates, but most at the firm, on how AI can be useful on the job.
Workforce committee emphasizes AI skills for job seekers
An ARIZONA@WORK committee emphasized that training in artificial intelligence is important for job seekers. The committee approved seven core categories of skills for workforce training. The list was created by working with employer and workforce training groups.
AI deployment costs more than expected
Businesses are finding that using AI can be expensive, with costs beyond just the AI models themselves. Hidden costs include infrastructure, integration, and compliance. Self-hosting AI can be cheaper than using the cloud, especially for large-scale projects. Companies are spending five to ten times more on making AI production-ready than on the AI models. Some experts suggest using AI that is already built into existing platforms to save money.
Delhi University to train students in AI with Google Cloud
Delhi University is working with Google Cloud to train students in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics. The program will offer certifications, hackathons, mentorship, and Google workshops. The goal is to give students skills that will help them in their careers. The program includes hands-on labs and assessments.
Sources
- State of the State: AI in Procurement: Where Does It Stand? - DCAT Value Chain Insights
- OurCrowd: “2025 has been a breakthrough year for us in AI”
- Ai4 2025 Vegas Wrap-Up: What Enterprises Need to Know About Emerging AI Solutions
- The Wrap: White House Slashing FAR Rules; NIST Plans AI Security Overlays; CHIPS Office Boss
- C.E.O.s Want Their Companies to Adopt A.I. But Do They Get It Themselves?
- The ServiceTitan AI Playbook: How CRO Ross Biestman Uses AI to Build a Merit-Based Sales Machine
- At Black Hat, security pros say defenders have AI edge against adversaries
- Ropes Summer Associates Took a Crash Course on Using AI on the Job
- Workforce committee stresses AI proficiency in job-seeker training
- Enterprises Confront the Real Price Tag of AI Deployment
- Delhi University Students To Get AI, Cybersecurity Training Under Google Cloud Collaboration