Enterprises expect an average productivity increase of 15 percent from their current Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects, with some anticipating gains of up to 40 percent, according to the Infosys Research report titled "Enterprise AI Readiness" released on Tuesday. The report from the Infosys Knowledge Institute reveals that while companies worldwide recognise the transformative potential of AI, most are not fully prepared to integrate it into their operations.
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The study, which surveyed over 1,500 executives from Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, the UK, and the US, indicates that only 2 percent of organisations are fully ready across five critical dimensions: talent, strategy, governance, data, and technology.
However, the report highlights significant gaps, particularly in technology readiness, where only 9 percent of companies possess essential AI capabilities such as machine learning frameworks, prebuilt algorithms, and dynamic computing. Data-related challenges also persist, with only 10 percent reporting easy access to data for AI projects.
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To address these gaps, the Infosys report outlines five essential steps:
1. Develop a Comprehensive AI Strategy: Only 23 percent of respondents have a strong AI strategy aligned with business objectives.
2. Establish Responsible AI Governance: Just 10 percent have well-defined governance processes to mitigate risks. The report highlights that Infosys' Responsible AI Office, part of Infosys Topaz, exemplifies this approach by establishing policies to ensure data security and mitigate risks, enhancing AI's value for enterprises.
3. Upskill the Workforce: Despite the critical role of AI in enterprises, only 21 percent of respondents say their employees possess the necessary knowledge to adopt AI tools, with only 12 percent receiving adequate training. "Forward-thinking firms are creating AI skill pathways to ensure readiness," Infosys noted.
4. Prepare Data Infrastructure: Only 10 percent of companies find their data easy to access, and 30 percent rate their data accuracy and governance as poor, underscoring the importance of enhancing data health.
5. Cultivate a Culture of Innovation: A mere 9 percent of companies are fully prepared in this area, highlighting the need for investments in foundational technologies like machine learning and automation, which can improve customer experience, reduce errors, and enhance compliance.
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Mohammed Rafee Tarafdar, Chief Technology Officer, Infosys, said: "To become enterprise-wide AI-ready and realise the promise of this technology, including gen AI, it is imperative to establish a robust and scalable foundation. Our research and learnings from our AI-first transformation journey has shown that data readiness, enterprise gen AI platform with responsible AI guardrails, and AI talent transformation are key to accelerate and democratise AI development. This must be complemented by an AI foundry and factory model for scaling AI initiatives across the enterprise."
Jeff Kavanaugh, Head of Infosys Knowledge Institute, said, "Our research found that Enterprise AI, including gen AI, promises to unlock up to 40 percent in productivity gains, yet only 2 percent of companies are truly ready. This readiness gap represents both a challenge and a massive opportunity. Those who act now – by building a clear AI strategy, including gen AI, establishing strong governance, and upskilling talent – will not only lead the next wave of innovation but will fundamentally reshape their industries. AI is not a distant goal; it is the prerequisite foundation for future competitiveness. The time to invest in AI readiness is now."
