AI Confidence is Growing

Despite growing recognition of AI’s potential, only 27% of businesses report that AI is a frequent topic of formal discussions within their organization.

That is up from 20% in 2024, but it still signals a persistent disconnect between the recognition of AI’s value and its integration in strategic discussions.

This widening gap between confidence in AI’s potential and actual implementation reveals a critical insight: businesses recognize AI’s value but struggle to transform this recognition into actionable strategies.

Here’s how to take the first steps toward addressing those obstacles:

Familiarity with AI is Growing Fast

The survey reveals a significant increase in AI familiarity among business professionals, with 59% of respondents now reporting that they are very or moderately familiar with AI, up from just 38% in 2024.

However, this rising familiarity has yet to translate into structured learning. 52% of those who consider themselves very or moderately familiar with AI have not completed any formalized AI training.

The data points to an emerging trend: the rise of the self-taught AI professional. But while self-teaching may provide a foundation, it is the collaborative human exchange—mentorship, guided practice, and shared experiences—that transform surface-level tool familiarity into strategic advantage.

Here’s how to take the first steps toward addressing those obstacles:

AI is Expanding Beyond Leadership

Management (54%) and Marketing/Communications (43%) continue to lead AI implementation, with Marketing/Communications adoption remaining consistent, while Management shows a slight decrease from 52% in 2024.

The data reveals that AI adoption is gradually expanding beyond its traditional strongholds. Sales adoption has risen to 33%, IT to 26%, and Operations to 24%. These substantial year-over-year increases suggest that AI is starting to penetrate operational departments, which can lead to significant efficiency gains and process improvements.

The uneven distribution of AI adoption creates “AI silos” within organizations—pockets of innovation surrounded by areas of limited technological advancement. This fragmentation prevents businesses from achieving the seamless, end-to-end transformation that truly leverages the potential of AI.

Here’s how to take the first steps toward addressing those obstacles: