Leaders agree AI is vital for their workplace — but barely any are doing anything about it

A recent survey by Lenovo has revealed a significant discrepancy between the recognition of AI's potential in the workplace and its actual implementation. While 80% of IT leaders acknowledge the need for AI in the digital workplace, only a mere 10% have initiated an AI transformation within their organizations. This situation has been termed as the "AI readiness divide," highlighting the gap between ambition and preparation.

The research, based on a 1,200-person survey conducted across the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and eight other countries, underscores the stark realities of AI readiness. Despite acknowledging the promise of AI in enhancing productivity, the absence of a prepared digital workplace hampers the realization of this potential. The findings suggest that businesses falling behind in AI readiness are missing out on significant opportunities.

A key concern is the lack of governance and measurement mechanisms for AI tools and data access, which are crucial for assessing the impact and ROI of AI initiatives. Additionally, the majority of businesses are still in the evaluation phase of AI adoption, with only a small fraction having established a clear ROI measurement to gauge AI's influence on delivering results.

To truly harness the power of AI, organizations need to go beyond mere declarations and invest in the necessary groundwork and budget to create an AI-ready digital workplace. According to Rakshit Ghura, Vice President and General Manager at Lenovo Digital Workplace Solutions, establishing an AI-ready digital workplace requires more than positive rhetoric. It necessitates a redesign of how people and AI collaborate, with the technology, support, and governance systems tailored to the evolving nature of work.