CEOs and IT chiefs missaligned on AI readiness

There seems to be a large hole between expectations from enterprise chiefs as to their organisations’ synthetic intelligence (AI) readiness and what IT leaders imagine is feasible.

A survey of 1,100 organisations, commissioned by Kyndryl revealed within the firm’s Folks readiness report 2025, has discovered that solely 16% of the CEOs polled imagine their know-how infrastructure is insufficient to completely assist AI know-how in contrast with 42% of IT leaders.

Aligning AI know-how methods with broader enterprise objectives is the highest motion cited by leaders to leverage AI know-how efficiently within the office, but the CEOs who took half within the survey have been much less conscious of the challenges integrating AI and automation with present methods. The survey discovered that 16% of CEO acknowledged that there are challenges in comparison with 37% of IT leaders.

Michael Bradshaw, international observe chief for purposes, information and AI, stated: “Solely a small group of companies have been in a position to harness AI efficiently for enterprise progress.”

The survey discovered that regardless of widespread makes an attempt at implementation, most organisations aren’t at the moment benefiting from game-changing use circumstances that can drive new services and products for his or her prospects.

Kim Basile, chief info officer at Kyndryl, stated: “Aligning know-how methods with broader enterprise objectives is the highest motion leaders must take to completely profit from AI.”

Generative AI (GenAI) instruments are the most well-liked use case reported by these surveyed, but solely a fifth of leaders report utilizing AI-powered insights to reinforce decision-making or unlock progress for his or her enterprise. Only one-fifth of leaders stated the first use case of AI at their organisation is to develop new services and products for purchasers.

The survey additionally discovered that CEOs and tech executives have conflicting perceptions on how their staff are viewing AI adoption. Below half (45%) of the CEOs surveyed assume their staff are embracing AI, in contrast with almost three-quarters of tech leaders.

This disconnect between CEOs and CIOs/CTOs extends to how they view workforce readiness and the way they assume they will get their workforces prepared. Tech executives are way more centered on upskilling their present workforce in AI know-how (80%), whereas over 4 in 10 CEOs are prioritising hiring exterior expertise to get these abilities.

The survey’s authors reported that uncertainty round deal with abilities gaps and finest put together for future developments in AI is inhibiting organisations. Roughly a 3rd of the enterprise leaders polled aren’t assured they know handle present abilities gaps. An analogous portion report their organisation doesn’t perceive the abilities staff will want sooner or later.

In keeping with Kyndryl, abilities now have a quickly shrinking shelf life as new applied sciences and enterprise processes speed up. The survey reported that enterprise heads are involved in regards to the challenges their organisations face round coaching and upskilling.

Actually, 76% of the enterprise leaders polled stated that they’re prioritising the reskilling their present workforce to accommodate AI implementation moderately than hiring new staff. Nevertheless, lower than 4 in 10 leaders stated that they’re taking employee-focused actions, reminiscent of internet hosting reskilling programmes, growing personalised teaching applications, or offering entry to exterior certifications or programs particular to AI.