The power of AI: How IT leaders are harnessing AI for business growth

Over the last few years, AI has emerged as a critical tool for IT leaders worldwide. From automating routine tasks to driving strategic decisions, it’s leading to radical changes in how businesses operate. 

But with rapid advancements come challenges—how do you stay ahead of the curve, use AI effectively, and make sure your organization stays competitive? Our latest research paper, The AI Opportunity Report, examines these questions in detail, with valuable insights for IT managers and decision makers.

Why AI matters more than ever

Crucially, AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a transformative force reshaping how we work. Our report found that 72% of IT decision-makers considered their organization's AI adoption to be mature, with 99% seeing clear benefits in adopting AI.

These benefits range from enhanced efficiency and productivity to improved customer satisfaction and revenue growth. On average, the respondents reported saving an average of 12 hours per employee each month. However, those from the IT industry estimated 16 hours of savings, freeing up plenty of time to focus on high-value work.

The rise of AI adoption

The survey data shows a remarkable 27% increase in AI usage compared to last year, underscoring the technology’s growing role in the workplace. Companies big and small are increasingly using AI for tasks like customer support automation, data analysis, and predictive analytics.  

But AI adoption isn’t without its challenges. Our report found that 46% of respondents cite a lack of infrastructure or financial support as significant barriers to implementation. Additionally, 69% of IT leaders are worried about security risks, particularly around data management. Going forward, addressing these concerns will be crucial for getting AI integration right.

Investing in AI: A strategic imperative

The future of AI in business looks promising. Most respondents (75%) anticipate increased investment in AI over the next six to 12 months. This indicates a strong belief in AI’s ability to drive business growth and innovation. 

But as companies invest more in AI, there’s also a recognized need for comprehensive training. In fact, a significant 94% of IT managers believe that more training is necessary to mitigate AI-related risks, with 72% planning to provide additional training in the coming year.

Training: The key to successful AI implementation

Training isn’t just about learning how to use AI tools: It’s about understanding how to properly integrate those tools into your organization. This includes managing AI-related risks, ensuring data security, and empowering employees to use AI confidently.  

Our report shows that while 85% of IT leaders are comfortable with employees outside of IT using AI, trust in AI to make decisions without human oversight remains low (31%). This underscores the need for ongoing education and skills development to AI-competence across organizations, so that staff can provide the needed oversight.

Overcoming barriers to AI adoption

Despite the enthusiasm for AI, challenges remain. Our report identifies several tricky barriers to AI adoption, including high implementation costs and a lack of clear return on investment (ROI).

To overcome these hurdles, IT managers should focus on building a robust AI strategy that aligns with business goals. This means investing in the right technologies and helping to create a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Concerns about security risks are also widespread, with 64% of respondents using AI cautiously due to these fears. To fully leverage AI’s potential, companies need to address these security concerns head-on, implementing stringent measures to protect data and ensure compliance.