A new report from PitchBook Data Inc. positions artificial intelligence (AI) as the fundamental infrastructure layer of the global economy for the next fifty years. The report, titled “Artificial Intelligence Outlook: The Great Competition Wars Have Begun,” highlights the intense competition spanning various sectors, including enterprise software, cybersecurity, defense systems, and global supply chains.
According to the report, AI has transitioned from being an experimental technology to a key driver of both value creation and destruction across major technology sectors. PitchBook identifies AI-powered customer service as the leading short-term beneficiary, forecasting market growth from $27.9 billion in 2025 to $56.2 billion by 2030. This surge is attributed to the increasing efficiency of AI agents in resolving customer interactions autonomously.
AI in Enterprise Software and Infrastructure
The report emphasizes that traditional business intelligence platforms are under significant pressure as natural language interfaces and real-time insights begin to replace outdated dashboards. Additionally, compliance software is emerging as a crucial growth area, driven by the rising complexity of global regulations. In the infrastructure Software as a Service (SaaS) arena, the demand for AI-focused data management tools is expected to soar, as enterprises grapple with data quality and governance challenges. PitchBook estimates the infrastructure SaaS market will more than double from $69.2 billion in 2025 to $155.6 billion by 2030.
Furthermore, AI-driven IT operations management is gaining traction, with organizations aiming for predictive and self-healing infrastructures to manage the complexities of multicloud environments. The cybersecurity landscape also sees substantial investment, with AI-driven data protection and encryption projected to rise from $14 billion to $32.3 billion by 2030.
Impacts on Defense and Supply Chain Technology
In defense technology, the report highlights autonomous maritime systems as an underappreciated but strategically vital sector, particularly regarding undersea cable security and naval modernization. Traditional human-piloted drone systems face increasing threats from these advanced AI-native defense solutions.
The supply chain sector is also poised for a transformative phase, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and evolving regulatory requirements. AI-powered supply chain planning tools are becoming essential, with projections indicating growth from $6.5 billion to $13.4 billion by 2030. Companies that do not adapt to these changes in logistics and automation risk long-term disruptions.
PitchBook also highlights burgeoning growth in foundation models, agentic commerce infrastructure, and data center decarbonization, emphasizing that energy efficiency is now intertwined with AI expansion. The market for foundation models is expected to skyrocket from $25.3 billion to $136.2 billion by 2030 as enterprises increasingly rely on AI platforms.
The report concludes that the key players in the AI landscape will be those companies that establish strong network effects, safeguard unique data assets, and seamlessly integrate AI into enterprise workflows. Conversely, legacy platforms in analytics, enterprise resource planning, and various operational sectors face significant displacement if they fail to transition to AI-native architectures promptly.
As AI continues to reshape the global economy, the implications for businesses across industries are profound. The shift to AI-driven solutions is not just inevitable but essential for survival in an increasingly competitive landscape.
