Table 1 Distinction between... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1

Distinction between implementation and integration in AI adoption

Term	Definition	Key characteristics
Implementation	Local application where AI acts as an isolated “add-on” to a specific task	Tool-centric; off-the-shelf; linear sequential process (buy → install → use)
Integration	Systemic inclusion where AI monitors interdependencies at a system level	Socio-technical alignment; cross-functional loops; AI embedded in hardware/process (develop ↔ adapt)

Term	Definition	Key characteristics
Implementation	Local application where AI acts as an isolated “add-on” to a specific task	Tool-centric; off-the-shelf; linear sequential process (buy → install → use)
Integration	Systemic inclusion where AI monitors interdependencies at a system level	Socio-technical alignment; cross-functional loops; AI embedded in hardware/process (develop ↔ adapt)