The adoption of technology varies widely among companies. As digitalisation reshapes our economies, significant differences emerge in the pace of digital transformation depending on industry, company size, and age.  

Specifically focusing on artificial intelligence, recent data gathered before the surge in generative AI show that information and communications technology (ICT) and professional services are the sectors with the highest share of AI usage. This suggests that AI is not equally adopted across all sectors yet.

AI is more widely used across large firms. This can be due to several reasons, including the fixed costs associated with implementing AI, the larger amount of data to leverage AI applications, fewer financial constraints, and greater resources or ability to utilise intangible and other complementary assets. Younger firms, including start-ups, also show a higher tendency to use AI. Start-ups are often at the forefront of groundbreaking innovations, especially during the emergence of new technological paradigms like AI.

Empirical analyses of different sources of microdata across countries show that a range of complementary factors influence the adoption of AI and the digital transformation in firms. These factors encompass skills, intangible assets, digital capabilities, and digital infrastructure.

Human capital is particularly vital in maximising the returns of the digital transformation. Beyond proficiency in programming and machine learning, top AI employers prioritise a diverse skillset, including leadership, management, innovation, and problem-solving abilities. This trend is also reflected in the qualifications sought in AI management roles, which require a combination of business savvy, technical expertise, innovation, problem-solving, mathematics, and ethical awareness.

Firms that use AI, and especially the largest ones, tend to be more productive than those that do not. This productivity advantage is closely linked to digital capabilities and skills, suggesting that more competitive firms are more likely to adopt AI in the first place.  

The concentrated adoption of AI by leading firms, along with the potential of AI to further enhance their competitive advantages, suggests that the existing divide between leading firms and others could widen in the future. This trend may have significant implications for the inclusiveness of economic growth.

A comprehensive policy mix that leverages synergies across different domains is needed to foster an inclusive digital transformation in the age of AI. This approach should encompass measures to raise awareness of new technologies, enhance the capacity of firms to absorb new knowledge, promote competition, provide appropriate financial tools, boost knowledge creation and sharing, address new regulatory challenges in the digital economy, and strengthen digital infrastructure and skills.  

Implementing such policies could help extend the benefits of AI and digital technologies more broadly, not only across different firms but also across various sectors, with both economic and social benefits.