Future of AI Maturity: Ecosystem, Regulation, and Emerging Technologies

Chapter Eight addresses the future of artificial intelligence maturity models in firms, examined through the lens of technological ecosystems, regulation, and the evolution of new generations of AI. It argues that AI maturity is relational and context-dependent: its development reflects not only an organization’s internal resources, but also its position within networks of technology providers, partners, and legal frameworks. section 8.1 discusses how AI ecosystems and regulation shape maturity trajectories, highlighting the growing importance of dependence on technology platforms and compliance requirements. section 8.2 introduces the concept of “maturity-by-regulation,” whereby regulation co-produces organizational maturity by compelling the development of governance structures, risk management practices, and AI system documentation. section 8.3 shows that generative and autonomous AI challenge static maturity models, calling for an adaptive approach grounded in resilience, technology orchestration capabilities, and uncertainty management. section 8.4 outlines directions for future research, including the validation of maturity models, longitudinal analyses, and studies of how regulation, ecosystems, and emerging technologies influence the development of organizational capabilities. The chapter concludes that AI maturity should be understood as an organization’s continuous adaptive capacity rather than a terminal state of development.