Writing & Editing
How AI is Used: AI-powered writing tools generate content, edit grammar, and even rephrase sentences for better readability.
AI Use by Business Function
How Companies Are Using AI Across Key Functions
Every team has AI in reach now, so the hard question is where to point it first. From customer support to back-office automation, this is how real companies are putting AI, and increasingly AI agents, to work function by function.
Explore the dataAdoption index
AI Use by Business Function
A breakdown of how businesses are using AI, by function and adoption rate, so you can see where to start. Explore each category for real-world applications plus the tools and lessons to get moving.
Function by function
Where AI is already changing the work
Explore each category to see the tools and lessons connected to the work.
85%adoption
AI-powered writing tools generate content, edit grammar, and even rephrase sentences for better readability.
83%adoption
AI tools that assist with graphic design, video editing, and content creation, enabling more efficient and innovative creative processes.
80%adoption
AI-powered chatbots, automated responses, and sentiment analysis are enhancing customer interactions and streamlining support processes.
69%adoption
AI that helps in optimizing marketing campaigns, analyzing customer data, and personalizing content to boost engagement and conversion rates.
63%adoption
Intelligent AI website builders, e-commerce solutions, code assistants, and more to optimize your digital operations.
60%adoption
AI agents now run multi-step work on their own: routing approvals, reconciling documents, and moving data between systems with a human checking the result.
20%adoption
AI automates HR tasks, accounting processes, and document management, reducing manual effort and errors.
25%adoption
AI enhances scheduling, prioritization, and forecasting, making project management more efficient.
33%adoption
AI-powered CRM tools analyze customer data to predict purchasing behavior, automate outreach, and personalize sales pitches.
AI in Action
How Businesses Are Leveraging It Across Key Functions
The interesting part is no longer whether AI works, it's how far companies have pushed it. The examples below range from assistants that answer millions of customer questions to agents that finish multi-step work on their own.
Here's how real companies are making AI work for them:
85%
Design & Creative
How AI is Used: AI tools that assist with graphic design, video editing, and content creation, enabling more efficient and innovative creative processes.
Customer Service & Support
How AI is Used: AI-powered chatbots, automated responses, and sentiment analysis are enhancing customer interactions and streamlining support processes.
Real-World Example:
Bank of America - Its AI assistant, Erica, has passed 3.4 billion client interactions since 2018, handling transactions, spending insights, and account security.
Sephora - Uses an AI assistant to recommend beauty products based on customer preferences and past purchases.
Growth & Marketing
How AI is Used: AI that helps in optimizing marketing campaigns, analyzing customer data, and personalizing content to boost engagement and conversion rates.
Real-World Example:
Netflix - Personalizes recommendations and artwork per viewer, keeping users engaged and reducing churn.
HubSpot - Its AI marketing tools draft campaigns, segment audiences, and score leads inside the CRM the team already works in.
Technology & IT
How AI is Used: Intelligent AI website builders, e-commerce solutions, code assistants, and more to optimize your digital operations.
Real-World Example:
GitHub Copilot - Goes beyond autocomplete: it takes a task, edits across files, and opens a pull request for review.
IBM watsonx - Lets enterprises build and govern their own AI assistants on internal data, with audit trails for compliance.
Workflow Automation
How AI is Used: AI agents now run multi-step work on their own: routing approvals, reconciling documents, and moving data between systems with a human checking the result.
Real-World Example:
Zapier - Runs AI agents across connected apps so handoffs happen without anyone copying and pasting.
UiPath - Pairs robotic process automation with AI agents to clear back-office queues like data entry and invoice matching.
Back Office
How AI is Used: AI automates HR tasks, accounting processes, and document management, reducing manual effort and errors.
Real-World Example:
ADP - Uses AI to automate payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Expensify - Uses AI to scan and categorize receipts, saving employees time on expense reports.
Operations
How AI is Used: AI enhances scheduling, prioritization, and forecasting, making project management more efficient.
Real-World Example:
Monday.com - Uses AI to track tasks, allocate resources, and suggest optimizations before deadlines slip.
Tesla - Uses AI to optimize supply chain and logistics, reducing production delays.
Sales
How AI is Used: AI-powered CRM tools analyze customer data to predict purchasing behavior, automate outreach, and personalize sales pitches.
Real-World Example:
Gong - Uses AI to analyze sales calls, providing insights on what works best to close deals.
Unlock the Power of AI for Your Business
Businesses across industries are using AI to work smarter, not harder. Whether you're streamlining customer support, optimizing marketing campaigns, or automating back-office tasks, AI can help you stay ahead.
Ready to explore AI solutions for your business? Dive into the best tools for each category and start transforming your operations today.