GenAI Fuels Enterprise Analytics Progress in Brazil -- ISG

The 2024 ISG Provider Len Advanced Analytics and AI Services report for Brazil finds companies are beginning to use generative AI for some analytics use cases, even as traditional AI retains a major role in their data toolkits. Debate over the risks of AI has shone a spotlight on the importance of data-based decision-making and data-driven efforts to remain competitive, making Brazilian businesses more mature users of the technology.

“Many companies in Brazil have been lost in a sea of information, struggling to turn raw data into valuable insights,” said Kathy Rudy, head of the ISG Data, Analytics & Technology Office. “They are using the power of advanced analytics to make better use of information, often in partnership with consulting and services providers.”

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Gartner Survey Reveals Only 14% of Security Leaders Successfully Balance Data Security and Business Objectives

Only 14% of security & risk management (SRM) leaders can effectively secure organizational data assets while also enabling the use of data to achieve business objectives, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc. While 35% of survey respondents secure data assets and 21% use data to achieve business goals, only one in seven can effectively do both.

The survey was conducted among 318 senior security leaders across organizations of different industries and sizes worldwide.

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IDC Predicts 80% of AI Foundation Models Will Be Multimodal by 2028, Driving Higher Accuracy and Business Value in Asia/Pacific --IDC

IDC predicts that by 2028, 80% of foundation models used for production-grade use cases will include multimodal AI capabilities to deliver improved use case support, accuracy, depth of insights, and inter-mode context. This is just one of the predictions unveiled in the report titled, IDC FutureScape: Worldwide AI and Automation 2025 Predictions — Asia/Pacific Implications. This shift underscores a broader trend toward more sophisticated AI systems that can process and integrate multiple data types—text, images, audio, and video—enabling enterprises to unlock new levels of intelligence and automation.

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One-Third of Corporate Leaders List Cost Management as Their Most Critical Priority for 2025 --BCG

New BCG Survey Reveals Cost Management Remains Top Priority for Executives Around the World for Third Consecutive Year—up 8 Percentage Points from 2024

Despite Years of Navigating Disruptions, 40% of Business Leaders Feel Unprepared for Market Shocks in 2025; Still, Many Express Optimism About the Growth Potential for Their Markets. Following the US Election Outcome, 31% Have Launched Contingency Plans for Tariff and Regulatory Changes. 86% of Executives Plan to Invest in AI and Advanced. Analytics for Cost Reductions in Customer Service, Sales and Marketing, and Supply Chains this Year.

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Global Tech Spend To Surpass $4.9 Trillion In 2025 -- Forrester

According to Forrester’s Global Tech Market Forecast, 2024 To 2029, software and IT services combined will account for 66% of global technology spend in 2025, fueled by increased investment in cybersecurity solutions and the modernization of legacy systems. Software alone will grow at a rate of 10.5% and is expected to capture 60% of global tech spend growth by 2029, making it the fastest-growing tech sector.

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Staff Reports
India's Tablet Market Grew by 42.8% YoY in 2024 to 5.73 Million Units, Says IDC

The India tablet market shipped 5.73 million units in 2024, up 42.8% year-over-year, according to new data from the (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. The detachable and slate tablet categories grew by 30% YoY and 47.2% YoY, respectively. The market, however, declined by 17% YoY in 4Q2024 due to delays in some government manifesto deals.

The consumer segment grew by 19.2% YoY in 2024, driven by strong eTailer promotions, discounts, and cashback offers. Samsung led the eTailer channel in 2024 with a share of 24.4%. The commercial segment grew by 69.7% YoY, fueled by a remarkable 104.5% YoY growth in the Education segment driven by increased government-funded education projects despite a 9.9% YoY decline in the Very Large business segment.

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Staff Reports
AI, Compliance, and the Future of Mainframe Modernization: CIO Roundtable Weigh Risks, Rewards, and Strategic Trade-Offs

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the enterprise technology landscape, industry leaders are rethinking modernization strategies to balance agility, security, and compliance. That was the key takeaway from a recent CIO Magazine roundtable, co-hosted by Skyla Loomis, Vice President of IBM Z Software, and John Currie, Partner, Mainframe Application Modernization at IBM.

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Mid-Market Executives Must Prioritize Process Over People and Technology in AI-Driven Operations – Alex Castro, 11:59

Mid-market executives must shift their focus from technology adoption and workforce changes to reengineering core business processes as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries at an unprecedented pace, according to Alex Castro, CEO of 11:59 (https://www.1159.ai/). 

Speaking in a recent BizTechReports vidcast, Castro emphasized that while AI tools and talent are essential, they are secondary to the fundamental restructuring of operational workflows.

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One Third of Companies Plan to Spend More than $25 Million On AI in 2025 Amid Widespread Optimism for Autonomous Agents --BCG

AI remains a top priority for business leaders worldwide in 2025, with a strong focus on reaping tangible results from their AI initiatives. This year, one in three companies globally is planning to allocate over $25 million to AI.

For the second year, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)’s AI Radar global survey has captured the mood of business executives when it comes to AI. The findings, released today, reveal both optimism and significant challenges in realizing AI’s full potential. In the latest edition of the AI Radar report, Closing the AI Impact Gap, BCG surveyed 1,803 C-level executives across 19 markets and 12 industries.

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Staff Reports
Gartner Predicts 10% of Sales Associates Will Use AI to Secretly Juggle Multiple Jobs by 2028

By 2028, 10% of sellers will save enough time with AI to seek “overemployment”, covertly working multiple jobs, according to Gartner, Inc.

The implementation and use of AI in sales will result in more sellers looking to engage in additional work outside their primary employment due to freed capacity from AI automation. Gartner’s survey of 3,496 global employees. 41% of sellers surveyed at least somewhat agree that new technology has freed up their capacity by automating manual and repetitive tasks.

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50% of Asia/Pacific Organizations Will Only Work with IT Vendors that Meet ESG-Related AI Criteria by 2027 IDC Predicts

IDC predicts that by 2027, 50% of IT buyers in Asia/Pacific will only work with vendors that meet social, environmental, and governance-related responsible AI criteria in accordance with sustainable procurement requirements. This shift in tech-buyer mindset will emerge from organizations moving from the initial "scramble" of GenAI experimentation, currently at a 62% success rate, to a full-scale integration of AI across enterprises.

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Investors Reject Trade-off Between Workers and AI, as over 70% Urge Companies to Invest in Both — PwC

The pressure is on for companies to turn AI investment into impact, according to PwC’s 2024 Global Investor Survey, released today. 73% of investors say companies should deploy AI solutions at scale, as overwhelmingly 66% expect the companies they invest in to deliver productivity increases from AI over the next 12 months, with 63% expecting revenue increases and 62% expecting it to increase profitability.

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Staff Reports
Consumers in Asia/Pacific to Spend $32 billion on Programmatic Shopping via AI Agents by 2028, According to IDC

In the report, IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Future of Customer Experience 2025 Predictions — Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Implications, IDC stresses the integral role of AI to provide highly personalized experiences for customers to help the region’s businesses differentiate themselves from competitors. This is highlighted in the prediction that by 2028, consumers will spend $32 billion via AI agents that run independently on their smartphones to programmatically shop for goods, services, and considered purchases. CX executives will adjust their business strategies based on such initiatives and seek to incorporate a more AI-infused approach in their campaigns.

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Staff Reports
AI Transforming ERP Software Systems, ISG

STAMFORD, Artificial intelligence in all its forms, including GenAI, natural language processing, agents and agentic devices, will revolutionize enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and the ways individuals and enterprises work with the software by 2027, a new research report from leading global technology research and advisory firm Information Services Group (ISG) says.

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Staff Reports
2025 East Africa Digital Trust Insights Survey

As cyber threats become more sophisticated and persistent, organisations across East Africa are rising to the challenge. The latest Digital Trust Insights (DTI) Survey for the East Africa region, titled “Strengthening Cyber Defences: The Road to Resilience in East Africa” reveals a significant shift in priorities, with 74% of businesses in the region placing cyber risks at the top of their agenda—well above global averages. It’s clear that cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it’s a critical business imperative.

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Gartner Predicts AI Adoption in 40% of Power and Utilities Control Rooms by 2027

By 2027, 40% of power and utilities will deploy AI-driven operators in control rooms, reducing human error risks, but increasing cyber-physical system security vulnerabilities, according to Gartner, Inc. The 2025 Gartner CIO and Technology Executive Survey indicated that 94% of power and utility chief information officers (CIOs) plan to increase their AI investments in 2025, with an average spending increase of 38.3%.

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Staff Reports
25% of Asia/Pacific Businesses Cite ESG Compliance as a Top Challenge

A recent IDC report titled, Leveraging AI to Overcome ESG Compliance Challenges, highlighted that over 25% of businesses in Asia/Pacific rank Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance requirements as their top challenge in the next 12 months. Being an export-reliant regional economy, the Asia/Pacific region is highly sensitive and influenced by regulations in western markets. Countries and businesses in the region must transition to more sustainable and ESG-compliant economies to ensure economic growth and maintain competitiveness. The small number of countries that have levied some form of carbon tax, such as Japan, Singapore, India, and Indonesia, are export-heavy economies that are more sensitive to shifts in global regulations and, as a result, are the early adopters.

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Staff Reports
Worldwide Smartphone Shipments Grew 6.4% in 2024, Despite Macro Challenges according to IDC

According to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker , global smartphone shipments increased 2.4% year-over-year (YoY) to 331.7 million units in the fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q24). This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of shipment growth, closing the whole year with 6.4% growth and 1.24 billion shipments, marking a strong recovery after two challenging years of decline. We expect the market to continue growing in 2025, albeit at a slower pace, as refresh cycles continue growing and pent-up demand is fulfilled.

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Staff Reports
Navigating AI-Driven Security While Optimizing the Customer Experiences: What Decision-Makers Need to Know

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the digital landscape, business leaders must confront a perennial -- but growing -- paradox: how to secure operations against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats while simultaneously enhancing customer and employee experiences to stay competitive. 

In a recent BizTechReports Vidcast, Stephanie Aceves, Senior Director of Product Management at Tanium, shared insights on the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the considerations decision-makers must prioritize to ensure their organizations remain secure, resilient, and competitive.

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