Organizations race to embed AI into enterprise workflows, EXL study finds

Core Insights - A significant majority of organizations (90%) have altered their operating models to integrate AI, with 39% completely redesigning their workflows [1][2] - Companies anticipate that over half of their processes will incorporate AI within the next year [1] Group 1: AI Adoption and Implementation - More than half (54%) of business leaders feel they are "a little ahead" of competitors in AI implementation, while 22% believe they are "far ahead" [5] - The primary focus for AI technology among business leaders is to improve customer targeting and attraction (50%), followed by enhancing margins and profitability (47%) and reducing operating costs (47%) [5] - Despite rapid adoption of GenAI, approximately 60% of AI initiatives remain in pilot mode, with 73% of organizations acknowledging challenges in improving data capabilities [5] Group 2: Barriers to AI Progress - The most significant barrier to AI adoption is the shortage of skilled talent (31%), followed closely by concerns regarding data privacy and security (30%) and budget constraints (30%) [5] - Only 30% of respondents reported that their company's data is accessible on an enterprise-wide basis, indicating potential data quality issues [5] Group 3: Industry Context - The findings are based on a survey of 290 senior decision-makers across various industries, including banking, finance, insurance, retail, utilities, and healthcare [2][3] - The report emphasizes that the true potential of AI is realized when it is seamlessly integrated into workflows, supported by AI-ready data, appropriate technology, and skilled personnel [3]