AI’s Unstoppable Momentum Leaves Some Enterprise IT Teams Scrambling: AMD
(FGC/Shutterstock)
AMD has released findings from a new survey of global IT leaders suggesting some are finding it challenging to keep up during the recent AI boom: Close to half (46%) of respondents say their organizations are not ready to implement AI, and just 19% say they will prioritize AI within the next year.
The report is based on an AMD-commissioned survey of 2,500 IT leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan. The survey was launched with the goal of understanding how AI technologies are re-shaping the workplace, how IT leaders are planning their AI technology and related client hardware roadmaps, and what their biggest challenges are for adoption.
AMD says AI could be moving faster than enterprises can handle. Despite 97% of those surveyed being familiar with AI, many lack first-hand experience using the latest AI applications, the company noted. For example, over 50% of respondents said they have not yet experimented with the latest natural language processing applications, while 47% and 36% say the same for facial recognition systems and process automation software, respectively.
IT leaders are also uncertain about AI adoption timelines, citing a lack of AI implementation roadmaps and the overall unreadiness of their existing hardware and technology stack.
Another roadblock is the potential security risks of AI. Though AI can improve the automated detection of security risks, 67% of IT leaders are worried AI tools could introduce a new type of risk to security and governance policies. Training is also a barrier, as the full scope of AI implementation across the enterprise has yet to unfold. For some organizations, a lack of skilled staff with AI knowledge is hindering progress.
AMD says IT leaders are recognizing how AI can help meet operational demands like security and efficiency. (Source: AMD)
Despite AI’s associated challenges, the survey also reflected optimism. Three in four IT leaders are optimistic about the potential benefits of AI and more than two in three are increasing AI technology investments.
Out of the organizations that reported prioritizing AI deployments, 90% are seeing increased workplace efficiency. This is a good omen for early adopters, as AMD says those who delay implementing AI solutions risk being left behind. Of those who are optimistic about AI, nearly 75% said they believe that not investing in AI is a bigger risk.
Investment in AI projects is increasing, as over two-thirds of surveyed IT leaders reported amassing a budget for AI implementation. Respondents believe new AI tech can address operational issues like security and efficiency, and seven out of ten say AI can improve the automated detection capabilities of cybersecurity threats. The top priorities of those surveyed included increasing system speed and performance (66%) and enhancing data privacy and security (60%).
“There is a benefit to being an early AI adopter,” said Matthew Unangst, senior director of commercial client and workstation, AMD. “IT leaders are seeing the benefits of AI-enabled solutions, but their enterprises need to outline a more focused plan for implementation or risk falling behind. Open software ecosystems, with high-performance hardware, are essential, and AMD believes in a multi-faceted approach of leveraging AI IP across our full portfolio of products to the benefit of our partners and customers.”
