Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gone from being a theoretical concept to an essential technology in the business world. From its first applications in the 1950s to its current integration in multiple fields, AI has evolved at a dizzying pace, transforming the way companies operate, make decisions, and create value.
En este artículo exploraremos cómo se creó la Inteligencia Artificial, su evolución en el ámbito empresarial y su impacto en sectores clave. Además, veremos cómo directivos y emprendedores pueden formarse en IA para liderar su integración y aprovechar los beneficios que la IA ofrece a las empresas.
How was Artificial Intelligence created?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a recent concept. Its origins date back to the 1950s, when scientists such as Alan Turing and John McCarthy laid the theoretical foundations for what we now know as AI.
Mathematician Alan Turing, considered the father of AI, proposed the idea of a machine capable of learning and reasoning, posing his famous question:
“Instead of trying to produce a program to simulate the adult mind, why not rather try to produce one which simulates the child’s?” – A. Turing
This approach laid the foundations for machine learning, allowing machines to improve their performance through experience.
Computer scientist John McCarthy, who coined the term Artificial Intelligence, drove key advances in the evolution of AI. in 1958, he developed the programming language LISP, the first language designed specifically for the development of artificial intelligence, which was used in the first intelligent systems and became the standard for decades for expert systems—systems that emulate reasoning by acting as an expert in a particular field.
The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in Business
Since then, the evolution of AI has gone through different stages. Below, we analyze it’s development decade by decade, highlighting some of the key milestones and contributions of influential figures:
1980-1990: Symbolic AI and natural language processing
- The first AI systems applied to industry are developed, such as assistants in medical diagnostics and financial analysis.
- Karen Sparck Jones, a pioneer in natural language processing (NLP), introduces the concepts of term weighting and information retrieval, which are essential to modern AI. Her research lays the foundation for search engines and virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa.
2000-2010: Big Data and the Deep Learning Revolution
- Advances in Big Data and increased processing power drive the growth of AI.
- Fei-Fei Li launches ImageNet (2009), an image database that revolutionized the training of neural networks for large-scale visual recognition. Her work is fundamental to the evolution of technologies such as facial recognition, AI in autonomous cars, and security systems.
2010-2020: Generative AI and advanced automation
- The rise of machine learning and deep learning drives voice recognition and recommendation systems.
- Platforms such as GPT, DALL·E, and Stable Diffusion emerge, taking generative AI to an unprecedented level.
2020 en onwards: AI applied to the business world
- AI is integrated into process automation, customer service, marketing, and trend prediction.
- Language models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot redefine the way companies manage knowledge and decision-making, as well as the world of programming and research.
AI is no longer a technology of the future, but a transformative reality in the present.
The impact of AI on the business world
The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the corporate world continues to grow, consolidating its position as one of the key technologies in digital transformation. In Spain, 44% of Spanish companies used AI tools in 2024, according to a study by the consulting firm Strand Partners conducted for Amazon Web Services. Among large companies (more than 250 employees), the AI adoption has reached 45%.
Among the positive impacts of the use of AI in business activity are data analysis, task automation, and the development of new products and services.
#1. Data analysis
Las empresas generan grandes volúmenes de datos. Gracias a la IA, pueden analizarlos en tiempo real para obtener insights estratégicos. Herramientas de IA predictiva permiten detectar tendencias, anticipar riesgos y mejorar la eficiencia operativa. Por otro lado, la IA se ha manifestado como una herramienta clave en la toma de decisiones basadas en datos (data-based decision making en inglés), facilitando la labor de los directivos en las empresas e incrementando exponencialmente el éxito y los resultados de sus estrategias.
#2. Task automation
From customer service chatbots to robotic process automation (RPA), AI is transforming the way firms operate. Companies such as Amazon use AI to optimize logistics, with autonomous robots managing warehouses, streamlining distribution, and reducing delivery times. In the financial sector, banks such as BBVA have implemented virtual assistants to automate queries and improve customer experience.
#3. Development of new products and services
A clear example can be found in the retail sector, where AI algorithms predict customer behavior and improve the shopping experience. Companies such as Nike and Adidas use AI to design customized sneakers based on user preferences and needs. In the audiovisual sector, platforms such as Netflix use generative AI to analyze viewing patterns and produce original content aligned with the interests of their audience.
Companies that are leaders in AI are demonstrating a significantly higher ROI by using generative AI tools in their processes – Source: Mckinsey Global Institute
Impact of AI by sector
Although 44% of companies in Spain were using AI in 2024, its use is not advancing at the same rate across all sectors. According to the aforementioned Strand Partners study and the ONTSI 2023 report, there are three sectors that are leading the way:
Leading sectors in AI adoption in Spain
- #1 Financial services: 53% of companies in this sector have adopted AI technologies.
- #2 Manufacturing: 50% of manufacturing companies use AI.
- #3 Energy: 48% of companies in the energy sector have implemented AI solutions.
Percentage of AI adoption in other sectors
- Travel and hospitality: 41%
- Healthcare: 41%
- Information and communications: 32.4%
- ICT sector: 31.1%
- Professional, scientific, and technical activities: 16.2%.
AI applications by sector
It is important to note that these figures reflect significant growth in the adoption of AI in Spain, especially in key sectors of the economy. But what are the main applications of AI in these sectors?
Financial services
- Process automation: AI in risk analysis, fraud detection, and investment management.
- Customer experience: chatbots and personalized virtual assistants.
Example: BBVA and Santander have integrated AI into their services to improve fraud detection and personalize financial offers.
Manufacturing
- Factory automation with intelligent robots.
- Digital twins to predict failures and optimize production.
Example: Siemens and Tesla use AI in their plants to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Energy
- Optimizing consumption with AI in smart grids
- Energy demand forecasting and predictive maintenance in infrastructure.
Example: Iberdrola and Repsol use AI to improve renewable energy management and reduce waste.
Health
- AI-assisted diagnosis, improving accuracy in disease detection.
- Personalized medicine, analyzing genetic data for tailored treatments.
Example: Google DeepMind and Philips have developed AI systems for early disease detection and medical treatment optimization.
If you want to learn more about future trends in AI and its impact on the business world, check out our article on the future of AI.
How to become an expert in artificial intelligence for businesses
For executives and professionals who want to lead the AI revolution in their companies, specialized training is essential.
According to a Deloitte report, 75% of business leaders consider AI a strategic priority for the next five years, but only 23% of companies have implemented specific training programs for their teams.
At Esade, we offer programs designed to enhance knowledge of AI applied to the business world. They onclude:
- Inteligencia Artificial en los negocios: An 8-week program in Spanish with a practical and strategic approach. It emphasizes the integration of AI into business decision-making, making it particularly suitable for CEOs, area managers (finance, operations, marketing), executives, and entrepreneurs.
- Especialización en Inteligencia Artificial empresarial: An advanced 6-month program in Spanish aimed at senior management, owners, and entrepreneurs who want to learn AI by applying it to their real professional lives.
- Programa de IA generativa para directivos: An 8-week program in Spanish to immerse yourself in the latest generative AI tools and trends applied to business models. The goal is to boost productivity and growth in organizations through advanced use of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as Gemini, Chat GPT, Copilot, Claude, Grok, Falcon, etc.
- Rethinking Business with AI: A six-week program in Spanish designed for executives and business leaders who want to rethink their businesses and identify the specific competitive advantages that AI can bring to their companies.
In all of these programs, Esade offers advanced content and presents the new approaches that are transforming business strategies around the world.
Are you ready to lead the AI transformation in your company? Choose your program and discover how Esade can help you take the next step.
