China leads in generative AI adoption worldwide

But adoption doesn't necessarily mean effective implementation, report says

China leads in generative AI adoption worldwide

China is leading the world when it comes to the usage of generative AI, with more than four in five organisations there utilising the rapidly developing technology.

This is according to a global study SAS commissioned with Coleman Parkes Research Ltd, which surveyed 1,600 organisations across the globe.

It found that 54% of all respondents are already using gen AI, with top users coming from China (83%), United Kingdom (70%), and the United States (65%).


Source: Global Research Report: Strategies for a Competitive Advantage

But Stephen Saw, Managing Director at Coleman Parkes, said higher adoption of gen AI doesn't necessarily equate to effective implementation or better returns.

According to the report, 64% of organisations in China are using gen AI but "haven't yet fully implemented it."

"In fact, the US nudges ahead in the race with 24% of organisations having fully implemented gen AI compared to 19% in China," Saw said in a statement.


Source: Global Research Report: Strategies for a Competitive Advantage

Challenges to adoption of gen AI

Amid the growing adoption of gen AI in workplaces, the report found that the lack of clear strategy on the technology is the top challenge faced by organisations using gen AI.

According to the report, 39% of organisations using gen AI do not have a policy that dictates how employees can and cannot use it in the workplace.

The Asia-Pacific region leads in terms of gen AI policies, with 71% of organisations there implementing one.

More than half of organisations in the rest of the world also have a gen AI policy. The presence of gen AI policies is as follows:

  • Northern America (63%)
  • South, West, and Eastern Europe (60%)
  • Northern Europe (58%)
  • Latin America (52%)

Nearly half of employers (48%) fully implementing AI at work also cited the effective utilisation of both public and propriety data sets as a challenge.

On the other hand, employers who just about to join the gen AI trend in the next two years said their biggest challenge is the absence of appropriate tools (59%).

"The future of business is being reshaped by generative AI," said Sabine VanderLinden, CEO and Venture Partner at Alchemy Crew, in a statement.

"Indeed, the integration of GenAI into business processes – from dynamic profiling in marketing to precision claims insurance – offers unparalleled opportunities for efficiency, personalization, and strategic foresight. Embracing this technology is essential for staying ahead in a highly uncertain and unpredictable competitive market."