Today’s Growth Drivers in 14 IP-Intensive Industries

By Ryan Kuhn, founder of Kuhn Capital, an M&A advisor to mid-market technology companies.

AI/ML now dominates all 14 high-IP industries we track, and many others. Even more surprising than how fast it spread is how many practical and varied ways it has proven useful.

Last year AI/ML scored a shutout: it was the top trend in all 14 industries we track. AI/ML is the latest, and largest, step in the long march toward data-driven work. Will this hype cycle justify its investors’ outsized expectations? Are we approaching the time when IP value exceeds tangible asset value?

At any rate, if you own IP, remember to cultivate and preserve it. See my post How to Value & Protect Your Intellectual Property. Below are brief descriptions of how AI/ML is transforming 14 key industries.

Audio Electronics

AI-Powered Immersive Sound Technology

The industry has shifted from selling better speakers to selling smarter listening experiences. AI is now embedded in noise cancellation, spatial audio, and device tuning to customize sound to the listener and environment.

• Sony – Developed AI tech that identifies and isolates sounds in mixed tracks by their source. This enhances immersion by routing individual sounds through different channels. Example: the rumble of an oncoming train emanating directly from its image.
• Sennheiser – Implemented “AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio” technology that powers Netflix’s spatial audio experience. It uses AI to enhance immersive sound delivery and create personalized user audio profiles.

Consulting

AI-Driven Client Productivity Focus

Management consulting firms are deploying AI internally at scale to reduce research time, automate document drafting, and analyze client operations faster. They then apply what they’ve learned to improve client production processes rather than emphasizing traditional top-down strategic planning. Examples: automated compliance processes, and intelligent workforce analytics.

• McKinsey & Company – Deployed Lilli, an internal AI platform that last year was used by 70% of its 45,000 employees (averaging 17 times per week). The system scans 100,000+ documents to provide instant insights and saves consultants 30% of their time on research and analysis tasks.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG) – Last year, BCG built 18,000 custom GPT agents across its 33,000-person workforce through a partnership with OpenAI. Agents include GENE (conversational AI assistant), Deckster (AI slide builder used 450,000+ times), and specialized agents for field service optimization to enhance consultant productivity.

Data

AI Use in Real-Time Analytics, Data Democratization

Data platforms are now embedding AI at every stage of the pipeline, from ingestion to analysis. The result is self-service platforms that allow non-technical users to access and analyze data independently.

• Databricks – 1) Launched “Agent Bricks” for building AI agents, 2) “MLflow 3.0” for generative AI lifecycle management, and 3) “AI Functions” that Databricks claims are faster and lower cost than competitors, and that enable clients to process 250,000+ queries per second with automated data workflows.
• Palantir – Built an AIP (artificial intelligence platform) that connects LLMs to clients’ data through the “Palantir Ontology.” This system lets non-technical users ask natural-language questions about complex business operations and get answers based on live data.

Education/Training

Generative AI Integration in Learning and Development

AI customizes students’ learning paths on the fly to best fit their needs. No more one-size-fits-all instruction. AI is also now used to create immersive VR/AR training environments and content, including content about AI itself.

• Docebo – AI-powered:
  • “Docebo Shape” (transforms documents into microlearning modules)
  • “AI Creator” tool for automated content generation
  • Auto-skill assignment
  • “AI Coach” for interactive conversations with personalized feedback reports
• Voxy – AI delivers:
  • Personalized language learning with 20,000+ adaptive lessons that adjust to individual progress
  • Customized business English programs drawn from real workplace content, such as recordings of sales calls and industry-specific materials. This practical approach accelerates learning much faster than traditional methods.

EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services)

AI-Powered Smart Manufacturing, Factory Optimization

EMS players are using AI to automate more of the production line, predict maintenance needs, reduce defects, and speed up throughput. AI is also being used to create digital twins for factory simulation and optimization, demand forecasting, and inventory management.

• Siemens – Offers AI-powered factory automation platforms, including predictive maintenance algorithms, digital twinning, and autonomous process optimization.
• ATS (Advanced Technology Services) – Deploys AI-driven manufacturing solutions that feature real-time analytics for machine performance, digital transformation consulting, and automated QC.

Fintech

AI-Driven Embedded Finance and Real-Time Payments

Fintech vendors are integrating their products into clients’ AI-powered financial models and customer-facing platforms. This enables AI-driven fraud detection, personalized financial products, and the tokenization of real-world assets.

• Plaid – Provides AI-powered fraud detection, real-time payments, and behavioral analytics that help financial institutions make better risk decisions. Plaid’s AI tools also help financial product vendors tailor offerings to individual users.
• Innowise – Develops AI/ML-driven credit scoring, real-time fraud detection, automated compliance systems, and personalized financial advisory platforms.

Digital Hardware

Smart Connected Systems, Sustainable Manufacturing

Digital hardware is increasingly optimized for AI workloads, prioritizing faster data processing and improved cooling efficiency. Additional AI-driven advances include biometric access systems, sustainable manufacturing materials and AI-optimized hardware.

• NVIDIA – Manufactures AI accelerator chips with integrated advanced cooling systems, specialized hardware for edge computing workloads, and smart connected systems designed for secure real-time AI processing.
• T Concepts – Smart hardware solutions: 1) Biometric access control systems; 2) IoT-enabled building management platforms; 3) Use of recycled materials; 4) AI-optimized energy management.

Logistics

AI-Powered Automation, Sustainable Supply Chain Operations

The most significant Logistics trends are AI-driven route optimization, autonomous vehicles, and predictive analytics for green supply chain management (SCM).

• FarEye – Provides AI-powered logistics tools for real-time route optimization, demand forecasting, autonomous fleet coordination, lower fuel use, and more reliable delivery times.
• Maersk – Uses AI for predictive fleet maintenance, automated port operations, real-time supply chain visibility, and regulatory compliance.

Advanced Manufacturing

Smart Factory Implementation, AI-Driven Digital Transformation

The industry is shifting to smart factories that integrate AI, IoT sensors, and digital twins to predict maintenance needs and improve quality control. AI is also supporting lights-out production systems, additive manufacturing workflows, and cybersecurity for connected factories.

• Siemens – Combines digital twin models with AI-powered predictive maintenance, IoT sensor networks for real-time QC, and lights-out manufacturing platforms.
• Advanced Technology Services (ATS) – AI-driven manufacturing solutions include: 1) predictive maintenance algorithms based on real-time machine data; 2) smart factory implementation; and 3) additive manufacturing with integrated QC.

Medtech

AI-Integrated Smart Medical Devices, Remote Patient Monitoring

A major MedTech trend calls for integrating AI into medical devices to support real-time diagnostics, intelligent surgical instruments, and more useful medical imaging. Companies are also developing biodegradable smart implants and AI-assisted robotic surgery systems to improve precision and patient outcomes.

• Medtronic – Develops AI-integrated surgical tools with real-time decision support, activity-responsive pacemakers, and remote monitoring systems that predict health events.
• Philips – Offers AI-enabled medical imaging systems, hospital systems to predict patient flow, and remote monitoring with real-time diagnostics.

Publishing

AI-Powered Content Creation and Direct-to-Consumer Publishing Models

Publishing is shifting toward widespread AI use for content creation and editing. Other emerging trends include direct-to-consumer author distribution, AI-generated audiobooks, profit-sharing publishing agreements, and increased demand for luxury collectible books driven by influencers.

• Atmosphere Press – Uses AI for automated editing, manuscript analysis, and content optimization. Also offers direct-to-consumer publishing options that let authors keep higher royalties through profit-sharing and AI-powered marketing tools.
• WoodWing – Provides AI-powered content creation platforms with automated editing workflows, real-time collaboration, and direct publishing that streamlines the publishing process from content creation to end-user delivery.

Software

AI-Native Development, Low-Code/No-Code Platform Adoption

Software’s dominant trend is the now-mandatory adoption of AI appdev tools like GitHub Copilot. The industry is also using AI to democratize app creation with low-code/no-code platforms. Other AI-related trends include automated testing, predictive analytics, and bleeding-edge quantum computing.

• GitHub – Copilot automatically generates code, suggests improvements, and supports AI-native workflows that reduce repetitive coding tasks and speed development.
• BairesDev – Offers rapid AI-driven software development tools using low-code/no-code platforms, automated testing, and predictive analytics.

Tech Services

AI-Driven Service Delivery, Outcome-Based Pricing Models

Tech Services’ leading trend is shifting from time-and-materials billing to payment based on what’s delivered, supported by AI. This includes using AI agents to manage project scheduling and cybersecurity, create reports and write code.

• Accenture – Reorganized its service model around AI-driven delivery and trained more than half a million employees in generative AI. In 2025, Accenture sold $2.6B in AI services using outcome-based pricing and automated delivery.
• Tercera – Provides automated delivery platforms, outcome-based pricing structures, and AI agents that help consultancies demonstrate ROI.

Teletech (Telecommunications Technology)

AI-Powered Autonomous Networks and 5G/LEO Satellite Integration

Industry players are deploying AI-powered autonomous networks that self-optimize and predict failures in real-time. Also trending: integrating 5G and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite services. This lets vendors customize services to individual industries while expanding coverage.

• Kyndryl – Markets AI-powered autonomous network management systems that optimize performance, predict equipment failure, and “self-heal.”
• TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) – Offers AI-enabled telecom solutions: predictive network analytics, LEO satellite integration platforms, and 5G optimization tools to support real-time network slicing and hybrid connectivity.