IDC predicts that by 2026, 20% of industrial operations in Asia will use AI/ML for vision-based systems and robotic and automation processes to achieve higher efficiencies, reduce downtime, and improve worker safety.
Digital technology and cloud capabilities are essential components in data-driven operations (DDO). IDC’s 2023 Worldwide Future of Operations Survey shows that cloud is one of the top technology priorities for organisations in Asia/Pacific excluding Japan (APeJ), with 77% of respondents in the region saying that cloud is essential or very important to their organisation’s operations.
Other key technologies needed to achieve efficient, resilient, and optimized operations include AI, robotics, mixed reality tools, edge computing, 5G and cybersecurity.
"Organisations in Asia/Pacific recognize the importance of investing in essential technologies for data-driven operations," states Rakesh Patni, associate research director for Future of Operations Asia Pacific.
Looking to the future
Generative AI (GenAI) will be essential to driving greater insights from operational data: 57% of APEJ respondents said GenAI tools (such as ChatGPT) will be one of the top 3 analytic tools and techniques their organisation plans to make significant new investments in to analyse operational data.
GenAI, employing both unsupervised and semi-supervised algorithms to produce new content based on existing text, audio, video, images, and code, represents a pivotal technology heralding the advent of a novel computing age - the Era of AI Everywhere.
AI: A Cornerstone of the Future of Operations
GenAI Data Discovery: By 2027, 30% of A2000 will utilize generative AI to produce ad-hoc operational performance reports, saving 10% of operations labour costs from manual data aggregation
AI-driven Industrial Automation: By 2026 20% of industrial operations in Asia will use AI/ML for vision-based systems and robotic and automation processes to achieve higher efficiencies, reduce downtime, and improve worker safety
Cybersecurity Impact of AI: By 2026, 50% of organisations in Asia will leverage AI-enabled advanced threat detection, to mitigate growing risks from GenAI cybercrime tools (WormGPT) used in phishing and ransomware attacks
Between 2024-2025, the focus will be on addressing the cybersecurity impact of GenAI cybercrime tools being used to launch ever more sophisticated ransomware attacks and investments in AI/ML vision-based systems and robotics to accelerate AI-driven industrial automation to improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime.
Longer term (2027 onwards) organisations will leverage GenAI to produce ad-hoc operational performance reports, saving on operations labour costs from manual data aggregation and increasing the speed of internal and administrative tasks.
While the current emphasis has been on AI, IDC also emphasizes the necessity of adopting an integrated approach, encompassing both a variety of technological and strategic facets, to adeptly manoeuvre through the era of digital business transformation.
IDC's Future of Operations Predictions for 2023
Talent development investment: Driven by rising digital talent shortages, over 40% of A2000 will need to increase talent development spending substantially to execute digital operations roadmaps and achieve ROI targets by 2024
Sustainability-driven OpEx: By 2027, 25% of industrial organisations in Asia will leverage real-time data capture and integration investments for sustainability initiatives to boost operational performance and visibility
Unified partnership transformation strategy: By 2027, 25% of A2000 companies will spend 15% of their digital technology budgets with third-party IT and engineering services partners to simultaneously transform multiple operations functions
Private Ops Networks: By 2028, 25% of industrial organisations in Asia will have deployed Private LTE or 5G networks to at least 30% of their operational sites to reduce up-front costs and improve data collection
Edge-native app data: By 2026, organisations in Asia that have embraced edge-native platforms will extract 2x more value from data, and deploy projects 3x faster than those with traditional core, edge, and cloud resources
Cloud data repatriation: By 2025, 30% of A2000 will undergo initiatives to pull data back from the public cloud, shifting operational data that does not require intensive processing locally, reducing OpEx costs by up to 10%
Human augmentation through technology: By 2027, 60% of Asia/Pacific-based organisations will augment operational roles with automation technology, elevating employee engagement and unlocking a 50% increase in worker efficiency
Patni suggests that organisations establish core technologies such as cloud, artificial intelligence and advanced connectivity and acquire new digital capabilities to improve their ability to contextualize high-quality data and drive greater insights into their operations.
He cautioned, however, that they also focus on talent development through new hires, forming partnerships with service providers, or by enhancing the skills of their current workforce.
“The combination of skilled talent and appropriate technology, aligned with a strategic approach, is crucial for optimized and efficient operations. The Future of Operations predictions provide insights and guidance to help organisations in Asia Pacific navigate their digital transformation journey," concluded Patni.
