SaaS apps just got started with AI in 2024 — expect 2025 to bring big change

SaaS companies are in early stages of AI implementation despite prominent marketing claims, with many features still in limited beta testing or initial rollout phases.

Current state of AI adoption: Leading SaaS companies are presenting AI capabilities prominently in their marketing materials, but the reality of implementation often falls short of the promotional messaging.

• A prominent SaaS company CTO revealed their AI features are still in beta, reaching only about 10% of their intended customer base
• ZoomInfo has generated $100 million from their AI Copilot, though it primarily enhances existing product functionality
• Salesforce’s Agentforce, despite being a top priority for CEO Marc Benioff, is in its early stages and requires hiring 2,000 sales executives to drive adoption

Industry implementation status: The gap between AI marketing and actual deployment is particularly noticeable in vertical SaaS solutions.

• Many B2B applications are still in the experimental phase with AI features
• Vertical SaaS providers are generally lagging behind mainstream SaaS companies in AI implementation
• Current AI deployments often focus on basic enhancements rather than transformative features

Notable industry perspectives: Technology leaders are emphasizing the importance of looking beyond current limitations.

• Box CEO Aaron Levie suggests that dismissing currently impossible AI applications could mean missing future opportunities
• Industry experts anticipate significant changes in SaaS applications by the end of 2025
• Even experienced CTOs acknowledge they are in the early stages of understanding and implementing AI capabilities

Looking ahead to 2025: The disconnect between current AI marketing and actual implementation suggests substantial changes are coming to SaaS applications.

• Companies must evaluate how AI will transform their applications and competitive landscape
• Organizations need to develop strategies to avoid falling behind as AI capabilities mature
• The gap between marketing promises and actual AI implementation is likely to narrow as technologies mature

Strategic implications: The current state of AI in SaaS presents both challenges and opportunities for companies navigating this technological transition, with early movers potentially gaining significant advantages as capabilities mature and implementation accelerates throughout 2025.