Kong report reveals AI landscape where CXOs must look to innovate

Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the hype cycle and become a transformative force in business. According to Kong's 2024 API Impact Report, 92% of developers and business leaders say AI is a priority for their companies. This widespread adoption will spark a wave of innovation and economic growth, with APIs playing a critical role in enabling AI technologies.

The report, which surveyed 747 IT professionals and business leaders, shows that the symbiotic relationship between AI and APIs will have a cumulative economic impact of a staggering $43 trillion by 2030. This forecast underscores the critical importance of APIs in the AI ​​ecosystem and highlights why CXOs need to prioritize their API strategy alongside AI initiatives.

Here are 10 key takeaways from the report that every leader should consider:

1. AI delivers tangible business value

The promise of AI isn’t just hype – it’s already producing real results. Fully 83% of respondents say their company's AI investments in the last year have created opportunities for new products or services. This rapid return on investment is likely driving the prioritization of AI, with 92% of respondents saying AI is a priority compared to other initiatives.

For CXOs, this data point serves as a clear mandate to accelerate AI adoption. Companies that lag behind in leveraging AI risk falling behind competitors that are already reaping the benefits of increased innovation and new revenue streams.

2. ChatGPT dominates, but the competition is diverse

ChatGPT remains the most commonly used large language model in the workplace. 27% of respondents said they use it. However, the AI ​​landscape is highly competitive and fragmented. Microsoft's Azure AI (18%) and Google Gemini (17%) follow close behind, while a host of other players such as Metas Llama, Amazon Bedrock, Anthropic's Claude and others are each capturing significant market shares. This diversity suggests that companies are exploring multiple AI solutions rather than relying on a single provider.

3. The multi-LLM strategy proves to be a best practice

The graphic above illustrates the trend of companies adopting a multi-LLM strategy. As different models prove to be better suited to certain tasks, companies are increasingly using different LLMs for different use cases. This approach allows companies to capitalize on the strengths of multiple AI models and services, potentially leading to more robust and diverse AI implementations across their operations. The competitive and rapidly evolving nature of the AI ​​field is driving this strategic diversification in the adoption of AI in enterprises.

4. APIs are the backbone of AI innovation

The report emphasizes that there is no AI without APIs. APIs serve as the eyes, ears, and hands of AI systems, enabling communication between humans, AI systems, and other digital tools. This interdependence is reflected in Gartner's prediction that by 2026, over 30% of the increase in demand for APIs will come from AI and tools that use large language models.

As AI usage increases, so do the number of APIs that enable it. CXOs should recognize that their API strategy is inextricably linked to their AI strategy. Investing in robust API management will be critical for companies that want to realize the full potential of AI technologies.

5. AI-powered API growth brings security challenges

With the exponential growth of API usage comes security risks. The report predicts a 548% increase in the number of annual API attacks by 2030, reaching nearly 42,000 attacks in the US alone.

This alarming prediction highlights the need for CXOs to prioritize API security as part of their overall cybersecurity strategy. As companies rush to adopt AI, they need to ensure their API infrastructure is robust enough to withstand increasingly sophisticated attacks.

6. AI governance is a critical concern

Privacy, security and regulatory compliance are the top reasons why companies implement AI restrictions, according to 60% of respondents. However, the effectiveness of these measures is questionable, as 60% of users admit that they find ways to get around their company's AI usage restrictions.

This discrepancy between policy and practice poses a major challenge for CXOs. It is critical to develop AI governance frameworks that balance security and compliance requirements with the need for innovation and productivity.

7. Integrating AI into existing infrastructure is challenging

When it comes to integrating AI services into existing microservices infrastructure, privacy and security/governance are at the top of the list of challenges for almost 60% of respondents. This highlights the complexity of implementing AI at scale in enterprise environments.

CXOs should be prepared to invest in tools and platforms that can help bridge the gap between AI services and existing infrastructure while maintaining robust security and governance controls.

8. AI is changing the world of work

The impact of AI on the workforce is mixed. While 57% of respondents say AI will make their work easier and 60% are excited about working with AI, there are also concerns. About 35% believe AI adoption is moving too quickly, and 18% believe AI adoption will lead to layoffs in their company.

CXOs must carefully manage these conflicting feelings. Successfully implementing AI requires not only technology investments, but also a focus on change management and training initiatives to ensure employees are prepared for an AI-powered workplace.

9. AI drives the creation of new jobs

Despite concerns about job displacement, the report suggests that AI is also creating new opportunities. Half of respondents say AI will increase productivity and innovation, while 26% believe AI will create new positions or opportunities in their companies.

This finding is consistent with historical patterns of technological disruption, where new technologies often create more jobs than they displace. CXOs should be prepared to identify and develop new roles that leverage AI capabilities to drive business value.

10. The future of work will be driven by AI

Looking ahead, three out of four respondents believe AI will increase innovation and create new opportunities. This optimistic outlook suggests that AI will become a fundamental part of how work is conducted across all industries.

As AI continues to transform the business landscape, the symbiotic relationship between AI and APIs will play a critical role in driving innovation and economic growth. CXOs who recognize this interdependence and invest accordingly will be well positioned to lead their companies into the AI-powered future.

For CXOs, the message is clear: adopting AI is about positioning your business for long-term success in a rapidly changing digital landscape.