Revealed: How AI is supercharging cloud investments, according to Wipro’s latest report

Wipro Limited, a prominent global technology services and consulting company, has unveiled its first “Pulse of Cloud: Quarterly Report July 2024,” offering a comprehensive examination of how cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are influencing industry trends. The report by Wipro FullStride Cloud reveals that AI is a significant force driving cloud investment, with 54% of surveyed organizations naming AI as the primary factor behind their cloud strategy enhancements.

As organizations prepare for an AI-dominated future, they are significantly increasing their investments in cloud technologies. The report highlights that more than half of the respondents are expanding their commitments to hybrid (54%) and public (56%) cloud solutions. This trend reflects a broader industry shift towards more flexible and scalable cloud infrastructures, essential for supporting advanced AI applications.

Despite the majority of respondents (55%) indicating that their cloud adoption is currently outpacing their AI integration, a notable 35% report that their advancements in both technologies are progressing concurrently. This indicates a growing alignment between cloud and AI strategies as businesses strive to optimise their technological capabilities.

Jo Debecker, Managing Partner and Global Head of Wipro FullStride Cloud, commented on the findings, stating, “Our survey findings further confirm that cloud continues to be the primary transformational platform for the enterprise, empowering organizations to innovate and stay competitive. The importance of an effective cloud strategy is only amplified with the increasing focus on AI. The cloud’s scalability and processing power are critical in holding and managing the huge volumes of reference data required by AI. As such, cloud investment decisions are increasingly being driven by the need to support AI.”

The report also underscores a shift towards more sophisticated cloud cost management strategies. With 54% of organizations employing utilization analysis and automation tools to control expenses, and 59% adopting a unified cloud management strategy, there is a clear trend towards more effective cost management practices. This evolution highlights the growing importance of optimising cloud expenditures in light of increasing data demands and AI-related applications.

In addition, the report notes that the ongoing integration of AI and cloud technologies is driving a broader industry trend towards digital transformation. According to recent research by Gartner, the global public cloud services market is expected to grow by 20.7% in 2024, driven largely by advancements in AI and machine learning technologies. This growth aligns with the findings of Wipro’s report, which suggest that organizations are increasingly leveraging cloud computing to support their AI initiatives and drive business innovation.

Moreover, the report reflects broader industry shifts observed by other analysts. For instance, a recent study by IDC indicated that 70% of enterprises are prioritising investments in AI and cloud technologies to enhance their operational efficiencies and competitive positioning. This trend underscores the critical role of cloud infrastructure in supporting the scalability and performance requirements of AI applications.

The Pulse of Cloud: Quarterly Report July 2024 was conducted between May and June 2024, surveying 500 senior executives across North America and Europe. The report provides valuable insights into current trends and future directions in cloud and AI integration, offering guidance for organizations navigating this rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Jo Debecker, Managing Partner and Global Head of Wipro FullStride Cloud, emphasises the crucial role of cloud computing in enabling AI advancements. Debecker’s comments reflect a growing consensus on the need for strategic investments in cloud technologies to support the rapid evolution of AI capabilities.