Businesses today are juggling an impressive number of applications, with the average enterprise using a staggering 897 apps and nearly half (45%) managing over 1,000. Despite this app explosion, only 2% of IT leaders say their organisations have successfully integrated more than half of them. That means most businesses are running on a patchwork of disconnected systems\u200c \u2014 \u200cleaving valuable AI-driven insights locked away in silos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s according to MuleSoft\u2019s 10th annual Connectivity Benchmark Report<\/a>, which showcases key insights from over 1000 IT leaders from around the world, including Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite 93% of global IT leaders intending to introduce autonomous agents<\/a> within the next 2 years (and nearly half having already done so), 66% still haven\u2019t jumped on the opportunity to provide an integrated user experience across their channels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having robust data management and integration is essential to leveraging AI effectively. Companies that embrace this shift are not only more agile and efficient, but also better positioned to stay competitive in a dynamic market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this report, we cover the rise of autonomous agents and AI adoption, challenges and barriers to legacy modernisation, the critical role integration plays in creating an agentic enterprise, as well as how APIs continue to drive revenue and increase productivity. Here are the key insights you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the strategic adoption of AI in businesses gains traction, organisations worldwide are now accelerating their adoption of autonomous AI agents<\/a> like Agentforce<\/a>. In fact, our report shows<\/a> 93% of IT leaders plan to introduce agents within the next two years and nearly half have already taken the leap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This reflects the fact that the number of AI models in use has already doubled since 2024, and IT leaders predict a further 78% increase in the next three years, bringing the average to 32 models per organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To support this rapid expansion, IT staffing budgets are also surging. Over the past year, estimated IT budgets have jumped by 71.4%, from $10.47 million to $16.91 million. This investment reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals capable of navigating AI integration challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nowhere is this shift more apparent than in Singapore, a regional tech hub with advanced digital infrastructure, strong government support, and widespread AI adoption across key industries such as finance, logistics, and healthcare. In 2019, Singapore was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a national AI strategy, which was updated in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n1. AI adoption skyrockets: From enthusiasm to execution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n