Artificial Intelligence Adoption – Is it more than just hype?

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence is a term which recently has gained increased traction both within academia and business context. The availability and accessibility of AI is increasing, the forecasted AI-market growth is exponential and the expectations of the technology is simultaneously at its peak. Yet, many organizations seem to lack a clear rationale and strategy when adopting AI, which has been proven to be a difficult technology to master. Therefore, this study aims to explore what factors influence organizations when they decide to adopt AI, and provide insights into their rationalization of the decision. By examining previous research regarding adoption of technological innovation, the TOE-framework was chosen and adapted as a means to answer the research question. The adaptation of TOE concluded on eight factors which could influence the adoption of AI. Five interviews with organizations that has adopted AI were conducted. The study concludes that only two out of eight factors can be deemed influential in relation to the adoption of AI, Presence of champions and Top management support. Three factors were found uninfluential, and the last three proved to be inconclusive regarding their influence on AI-adoption.