Global IT leaders embrace AI transformation, with 60% appointing Chief AI Officers to accelerate adoption.
In a bold shift in tech priorities, organizations worldwide are putting generative AI ahead of cybersecurity in 2025, according to a new Generative AI Adoption Index released by Amazon Web Services (AWS) today. The global study, which surveyed 3,739 senior IT decision-makers across nine major economies, paints a clear picture: generative AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a business necessity.
AI Leadership Takes Centre Stage
As generative AI moves from experiment to execution, businesses are establishing dedicated roles to lead the charge. The study reveals that 60% of organizations now have a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) or equivalent, signalling a fundamental shift in leadership structure. While Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and Chief Innovation Officers (CIOs) still play key roles, companies are elevating AI-specific expertise to the C-suite to manage complexity and scale.
“We’re seeing organizations move fast to operationalize generative AI, and that means rethinking everything—from leadership to hiring,” said an AWS spokesperson.
Skills Gap Fuels AI Hiring Boom
With AI’s growing influence, talent strategy is being rewritten. 92% of surveyed organizations plan to hire for generative AI-related roles in 2025, according to the AWS study. Businesses are adopting a blended strategy—upskilling current teams while aggressively recruiting external talent to close the capability gap.
This dual approach aims to build long-term resilience while meeting short-term deployment goals, especially in industries like manufacturing, retail, and finance, where custom AI applications are already in production.
Customisation Beats Off-the-Shelf AI
The research shows a significant trend towards bespoke AI solutions. While 40% of companies will use pre-trained models out of the box, a much larger share is taking a hybrid route. 58% plan to build custom apps using pre-existing models, and 55% will fine-tune AI models with proprietary data to ensure alignment with business goals and security standards.
This trend marks a departure from one-size-fits-all AI, as firms seek control over performance, compliance, and intellectual property.
Key Takeaways:
- Generative AI outpaces security in 2025 enterprise tech budgets
- 60% of global companies now have Chief AI Officers
- 92% preparing to hire for generative AI roles next year
- Hybrid AI adoption dominates: custom apps built on existing models
- Survey spans US, Brazil, UK, Canada, Germany, France, India, Japan, and South Korea
This report reflects a maturing market. Generative AI is no longer just a tool—it’s becoming a core part of how global enterprises operate, hire, and innovate.
