AI Drives a New Era of Innovation Globally, According to Ayming’s Latest Report
The sixth International Innovation Barometer reveals how AI is already reshaping global innovation, with companies restructuring R&D and significantly investing in AI-driven strategies.
The latest edition of the International Innovation Barometer, just published, reveals the profound impact artificial intelligence (AI) is already having on global innovation. According to the report from innovation consultancy Ayming, the vast majority of businesses (84%) recognise the positive effects of AI, both in the innovation process and its outputs. This research challenges the common narrative that AI’s potential remains futuristic, demonstrating that companies are already reaping tangible benefits from the technology.
The findings show a significant transformation in research and development (R&D) structures, with 41% of businesses having restructured their teams to better integrate AI into their innovation strategies. Among larger companies, this figure rises to over half (52%), highlighting the growing importance of AI in large-scale operations.
AI ranks as the second-highest priority for innovation among 29% of businesses, just behind the broader adoption of technology, which leads with 32%. The overlap between technology and innovation has grown so prominent that these terms are often used interchangeably. AI models, which provide businesses with new capabilities, are driving this shift by lowering the barrier to advanced technology adoption.
AI Investment on the Rise
The report also underscores the growing financial commitment to AI-driven innovation. Nearly half (47%) of the businesses surveyed allocate between 6% and 20% of their innovation budgets to AI-related R&D. A further 22% are investing over 20% of their innovation budget in this area, signalling the growing emphasis on AI as a critical component of future innovation strategies.
Njy Rios, Director of R&D Incentives at Ayming UK, points out that AI’s accessibility has expanded rapidly. “The development of AI has been driven – and dominated – by mega-cap tech giants like Microsoft and Google,” Rios explains. “However, the introduction of accessible models like ChatGPT has democratised AI to a degree. Businesses can now implement AI without needing to develop proprietary systems, which many lack the resources to do. As AI models become commoditised, competitive advantage will increasingly come from effective application rather than ownership.”
Shifting from Automation to Collaboration
One of the report’s more intriguing insights is how businesses are using AI beyond simple automation. While 26% of respondents use AI to automate processes, far more are tapping into its potential for creative and strategic activities. AI is increasingly being used to analyse data (53%), predict trends (43%), and generate new ideas (39%). This suggests that AI is evolving into a tool for creativity and collaboration, rather than just efficiency.
Rios envisions a future where AI and human creativity work hand in hand. “We’re seeing the emergence of hybrid models where AI enhances, rather than replaces, human innovation,” Rios notes. “Generative AI, as it currently stands, is not capable of independent creative thought, but it is a powerful analytical tool that can optimise human-led innovation.”
Accelerating the Innovation Cycle
According to Ayming’s research, AI is poised to significantly accelerate the pace of innovation. Rios concludes that AI will shorten the innovation lifecycle—from idea generation to product development—allowing businesses to innovate faster and stretch their investments further.
The International Innovation Barometer surveyed 1,227 R&D and innovation leaders across 17 countries, including the UK, the US, China, and Germany, representing a diverse range of sectors such as automotive, construction, finance, and pharmaceuticals. For more detailed insights, the full report is available in the 2025 edition of the International Innovation Barometer.
