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How AI is transforming operations from startups to corporations
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword—it's a business imperative. From streamlining everyday tasks in local startups to revolutionising global supply chains in multinational corporations, AI is rapidly reshaping the dynamics of business operations across every scale.
According to a 2025 report by McKinsey, 79 per cent of global executives say they have adopted AI in at least one business unit. The shift is so significant that productivity gains attributed to AI integration are projected to add $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy by 2030.
'From what I've seen across fast-paced, data-heavy orgs, AI agents are already taking over the grunt work: automated QA, anomaly detection, summarising dashboards using MCP, even writing first drafts of SQL queries,' said Sumit Gupta, AI and Data Science Leader at Notion. 'What used to take hours now happens in seconds—and that's not a tagline, that's my day-to-day. Microsoft's CEO recently said 30 per cent of their code is now written by AI. Amazon cut supply chain forecasting errors by 15 per cent. This isn't future talk—it's happening now.'
For smaller businesses, AI's biggest value lies in automation and customer engagement. Platforms powered by machine learning can now handle social media responses, schedule meetings, personalize email campaigns, and even track inventory—all with minimal human input.
Gaurav Gupta, a global digital transformation strategist, emphasises how AI is tailoring itself to different organisational scales: 'AI is changing the way businesses connect with customers and manage their operations. For smaller companies, AI is helping in automating daily tasks and personalising customer experiences. Midsized organisations are using AI to make their CRM systems smarter and their processes faster. At the enterprise level, AI is making it possible to connect complex systems, predict customer needs, and streamline decision-making.'
For mid-sized firms, AI drives not only efficiency but also insight. Companies using AI-driven CRM platforms report up to a 40 per cent increase in lead conversion rates, according to Salesforce's 2024 State of Marketing Report.
And for large enterprises, the shift is seismic. Predictive maintenance, AI-powered diagnostics, intelligent logistics, and hyper-personalised customer journeys are becoming standard.
'AI is fundamentally transforming business operations by turning data into strategic value,' said Abrar Ahmed Syed, a data pioneer with cross-continental experience. 'Small businesses benefit through automation and engagement. Midsized firms gain from optimization and insights. Enterprises use AI for predictive analytics, intelligent supply chains, and innovation at scale. As data complexity increases, AI evolves from a supportive tool to a strategic necessity.'
The energy sector, in particular, is seeing breakthrough innovation. Drumil Joshi, Monitoring and Diagnostics Analyst at Southern Power Company, notes: 'AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it's today's competitive edge. From streamlining supply chains in startups to powering predictive diagnostics in billion-dollar energy systems, AI is redefining how business is done. It empowers leaders to anticipate, adapt, and accelerate. The real disruptors aren't just using AI; they're mastering it to lead entire industries into a smarter, faster, and more sustainable future.'
Despite these strides, challenges remain. Data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and workforce adaptation are top concerns for business leaders. However, with AI investment forecasted to surpass $500 billion globally by 2027, the trajectory is clear: businesses that embrace and master AI will define the next era of commerce.
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