[gk1]

If AI/ML was just part of R&D then it's likely to get downsized or cut as companies refocus on their core products. If AI/ML is or is meant to be powering the core products or services, eg at banks, retailers, and manufacturers, then those teams are actually more important than ever. Because ML usually reduces labor and overhead, so the faster they can get it into production the faster they'll lower their operating expenses.

The challenge for dotscience was that there are so many players in this space that it's hard to stand out and win deals. See: https://zdnet3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/07/17/b17497a0-84... (These landscape charts are always made to look complicated on purpose, but the point is clear.)