What Is Holding Up AI Adoption for Businesses? New EPAM Study Reveals Key Findings

Core Insights - The report by EPAM Systems highlights the current state of AI adoption in enterprises, revealing a significant gap between perceived and actual AI implementation success [3][4] - Companies are entering a new phase of AI deployment, focusing on high-value use cases and aligning technology with business objectives to drive real value [4][9] AI Adoption Status - Nearly half (49%) of surveyed companies consider themselves "advanced" in AI implementation, but only 26% of these have successfully delivered AI use cases to market [3] - 30% of technology-advanced companies have implemented AI at scale, indicating a struggle for many organizations to transition from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment [7] Investment Trends - Companies plan to increase AI spending by 14% year-over-year in 2025, reflecting a commitment to AI-driven growth [7] - Disruptors expect 53% of their profits in 2025 to be attributed to AI investments, showcasing a tangible financial impact [7] Key Challenges - A lack of alignment between business and technical teams is identified as a major barrier to AI adoption, with 31% of executives citing outdated technology as a challenge [14] - Security remains a priority, with 35% of businesses indicating that inadequate security programs hinder modernization efforts [14] Governance and Talent - While 75% of advanced companies claim to have clear AI strategies, only 4% of disruptors have developed comprehensive governance frameworks, with effective governance expected to take at least 18 months to implement [14] - 43% of surveyed companies plan to hire AI-related roles in 2025, with machine learning engineers and AI researchers being the most sought-after positions [7]