New ePlus AI Industry Pulse Poll Reveals Strategic Shift: AI Moves from Efficiency to Expansion

Core Insights - Nearly three-quarters of IT and industry leaders now prioritize revenue growth as the main driver of AI initiatives, surpassing cost savings (54%) and increased customer satisfaction (56%) [1][2] - The survey indicates a significant shift in the perception of AI, evolving from a tool for efficiency to a catalyst for innovation and growth [2] - 81% of respondents express concerns about their current IT infrastructure's ability to support advanced AI applications [2][5] AI Adoption and Challenges - 60% of organizations are still in the early-to-mid stages of AI implementation, while only 8% report fully integrated, mature AI deployments [5] - Security remains a top concern, with 90% of leaders citing data privacy leakage as critical and 68% identifying regulatory compliance as a major barrier [5] - Talent shortages are a significant challenge, with 52% of leaders identifying it as a top issue, second only to security and infrastructure concerns [5] Agentic AI Insights - There is a notable gap in knowledge and readiness for agentic AI, with 41% of respondents only slightly familiar and 23% very familiar with the concept [5] - Only 26% are ready and actively investing in agentic AI, while 33% acknowledge the need for greater understanding before committing resources [5] - Opinions on agentic AI are divided, with 33% believing it's too soon to gauge its impact, 26% considering it useful but risky, and 27% viewing it as highly promising [5] Company Commitment - ePlus is dedicated to helping organizations navigate the complexities of scaling AI beyond pilot projects and building infrastructure that ensures peak performance, security, and reliability [2][3] - The company provides guidance, expertise, and adaptable solutions to empower leaders in overcoming challenges and seizing new opportunities in AI [3]