AI application in enterprise architecture management: From the perspective of tools

In the wave of global Digital Transformation (DT), enterprises need to be more proactive in embracing changes. Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a useful tool to help organizations establish a common and complete understanding of essential elements and operational rules and align them in response to changes. However, EA also faces challenges which have limited its widespread and successful application. In recent years, with the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), related technologies have been applied to the field of EA which might potentially help alleviate such challenges. However, the degree of AI application, the areas of AI application, and the impact on the EA domain have not been reported yet. This study analyzes public information about a leading EA consulting company and 15 EA tool vendors, pointing out that over two-thirds of 15 leading EA tool vendors have plans about AI application, and one-third have already developed their strengths with AI. The overall application is in its early stage, and the application areas are somewhat scattered, mainly including the automatic generation or completion of EA models, information analysis, and EA repository data management. EA challenges like deficiency in modeling, management and maintenance might have been alleviated to some extent.