- 95% of businesses have invested in AI, but 71% of workforces are not ready to leverage it effectively.
- Only 14% of companies, termed "AI Pacesetters," are successfully deploying AI while preparing their workforce.
- Banking and Financial Services lead in AI readiness, while Healthcare lags behind.
Kyndryl (KD, Financial), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, has released a global study highlighting a significant disconnect between AI investment and workforce preparedness. According to the report, an impressive 95% of businesses have invested in AI technologies. However, a substantial 71% of these organizations report that their workforce is not adequately prepared to use this innovative technology effectively.
The survey, which included insights from over 1,000 executives across 25 industries, identified a stark difference in AI readiness across sectors. The Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sectors are best prepared for AI integration, while the Healthcare industry remains behind in preparation. A significant barrier to AI adoption is the shortage of skilled talent, with 51% of organizations acknowledging this gap. Furthermore, 45% of CEOs report encountering resistance or hostility towards AI among employees.
Despite these challenges, a small subset of organizations, termed "AI Pacesetters" by the report, have successfully leveraged AI for business advancement while addressing workforce readiness. These AI Pacesetters are three times more likely to have a fully implemented change management strategy and report 29% fewer concerns about AI affecting employee engagement. They are also 67% more likely to have tools and processes for assessing the current skills inventory of their employees.
There is also a notable divergence in perspectives between CEOs and CIOs/CTOs regarding AI implementation. CEOs are more inclined to view their organizations in the early stages of AI adoption and show a preference for hiring external talent rather than upskilling current employees.
Kyndryl's study emphasizes the crucial need for alignment at the executive level to capitalize on AI's potential effectively. Companies that achieve this alignment witness significant benefits, driving the importance of synchronizing technology strategies with overarching business objectives.
