What happens when human curiosity meets intelligent automation? According to ABBYY’s Global Report, a growing number of organizations are finding that Generative AI isn’t just a futuristic experiment; it’s fast becoming the backbone of everyday business. 

The 2025 report, conducted across six countries and 20 industries, captures a clear message: GenAI adoption is accelerating globally, driven by innovation, efficiency, and human creativity.

The report, based on insights from over 1,200 senior executives, paints a vibrant picture of how companies are integrating AI into their workflows to improve productivity, accuracy, and decision-making.

Smarter Workflows, Happier Teams

A striking 89% of respondents reported positive results from GenAI adoption, citing improved output consistency (50%), accuracy (43%), and cost savings (42%). In financial services and tech sectors alike, GenAI has become a silent partner, streamlining data processing, automating documentation, and supporting creative problem-solving.

Interestingly, more than half of employees (53%) said they use GenAI to appear “more professional” in their work, while 55% credited it with reducing workload and stress. These findings hint at something deeper: AI is becoming a trusted collaborator rather than a replacement.

Maxime Vermeir, Senior Director of AI Strategy at ABBYY, emphasized this shift:

“Businesses are spending money on GenAI tools that promise more than they can provide. Before moving forward, companies need to evaluate their current processes and understand where GenAI adds real value.”

The Rise of Shadow AI and Self-Driven Innovation

The most eye-opening insight from ABBYY’s Global Report is the rise of Shadow AI, employees independently experimenting with GenAI tools outside official IT supervision.

In the U.S., 22% of employees admitted to using GenAI without IT knowledge; in Singapore, the number climbs to 26%. While this trend raises governance questions, it also shows the deep enthusiasm workers have for AI-driven productivity.

Instead of restricting such innovation, forward-thinking organizations are creating structured frameworks to channel it. 

As ABBYY’s CEO, Ulf Persson notes: “The corporate benefits of GenAI’s potential are unlocked when leaders drive secure, strategic adoption with risk management as a priority.”

Governance and the Human-AI Balance

While GenAI tools offer immense promise, adoption must evolve responsibly. About 26% of surveyed companies acknowledged the need for better governance frameworks to ensure transparency and accountability in AI-assisted workflows.

ABBYY’s research shows that companies pairing GenAI with Process Intelligence and Document AI achieved superior results 98% of satisfied adopters combined these technologies to boost performance. The takeaway? AI success depends on a blend of the right tools, oversight, and continuous learning.

Global and Cross-Industry Trends

The adoption landscape varies by region, but the direction is unmistakable.

  • France: 98% of companies plan to increase their AI budgets in 2026.
  • U.S.: 27% found training GenAI models harder than expected, but remain optimistic about scaling.
  • Australia and the U.K.: 30% of leaders said GenAI deployment has exceeded initial productivity expectations.
  • Singapore: 26% shadow AI usage shows employees are leading the innovation charge.

In financial services, 91% of firms have already integrated GenAI, using it for data analysis, fraud detection, customer engagement, and compliance automation.

Why ABBYY’s Global Report Matters

For leaders navigating the AI frontier, ABBYY’s Global Report offers both inspiration and a roadmap. It moves beyond hype to present actionable insight, showing how companies can make GenAI adoption simple, scalable, and ethical.

Successful AI adoption isn’t defined by technology alone; it’s shaped by people who understand how to use it. As organizations move from experimentation to execution, the winning strategy will blend innovation with intentional governance and empathy.

In the end, AI doesn’t just make us work smarter, it makes us more human.

FAQs

1. What is ABBYY’s Global Report about?
It’s a 2025 survey analyzing how organizations worldwide are adopting Generative AI to improve productivity, governance, and innovation.

2. Which industries lead in GenAI adoption?
Financial services, technology, and manufacturing sectors show the highest adoption rates, with 91% of FinTech firms using GenAI tools.

3. What does “Shadow AI” mean in the report?
It refers to employees using AI tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity without IT supervision—an indicator of organic innovation within organizations.

4. How does ABBYY recommend managing GenAI adoption?
Through structured governance, risk management, and integration of supplementary tools like Process Intelligence and Document AI.

5. What’s the most significant insight from ABBYY’s Global Report?
GenAI adoption is most successful when technology empowers human creativity and decision-making, not replaces it.

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