Spending on AI has risen sharply, with an average increase of 33% year on year. Yet companies are treading water: they place great hopes in artificial intelligence, but their initiatives often go no further than the pilot stage. The Kyndryl Readiness Report 2025 analyses this significant gap based on a survey of 3,700 executives in 21 countries and shows that the disconnect between ambition and reality is not narrowing — it is becoming a strategic risk. This issue is just as relevant for companies worldwide as it is for those in Switzerland: to succeed in today’s digital world, businesses must not only bring AI into production faster, but do so in an environment of increasing demands around governance, data protection and cyber resilience.

“The gap between perception and reality is considerable: while 90% of organisations are convinced they have the right tools, more than half are being held back by their own technology infrastructure. In addition, there is a shortage of skilled staff with the necessary AI expertise. The good news is that this gap can be closed — provided companies treat infrastructure modernisation and skills transformation as a shared priority,” says Jacqueline Wild, Vice President and General Manager of Kyndryl in Switzerland and Austria.

The first Kyndryl Readiness Report 2024 had already highlighted a critical gap between perception and actual readiness: while 90% of business leaders regarded their IT infrastructure as “best in class”, only 39% considered it ready for the future. Despite progress, this divergence persists. The 2025 results make that clear:

• Returns are improving, but AI remains in the experimental phase: 54% of companies report positive returns on their AI investments — up 12% from 2024. However, three out of five executives say they are under more pressure than last year to deliver measurable results. Even so, 62% have not yet moved their AI projects beyond the pilot stage.
• Confidence continues to outstrip real capabilities: 90% say their tools and processes allow them to test and deploy new ideas quickly. However, more than half believe their core technology infrastructure is holding back innovation.
• AI is accelerating workplace transformation, but skills gaps persist: 87% expect AI to “completely” transform jobs within their company within 12 months. Yet many say employees are still only rarely using AI so far, and only a few have the necessary technical skills.

AI spending rises in step with ROI expectations — cyber resilience at the centre of concerns

Executives across sectors and countries say their company’s spending on AI has risen by an average of 33% year on year. Some 68% say they are investing “heavily” in at least one form of AI. As investment rises, so too do expectations around value creation and security. This is especially evident in cybersecurity, which is currently the most common use case for AI.

Talent and corporate culture: the next readiness challenge

When it comes to scaling innovation, employee readiness proves to be both a major obstacle and a key opportunity. Beyond technological challenges, organisational maturity is becoming a decisive factor in the rollout of innovation. Only 29% believe their workforce is sufficiently prepared to use AI effectively in day-to-day operations. Many companies also face cultural barriers. Nearly half of CEOs say their organisation slows innovation (48%) and makes decisions too late (45%). The pioneers — referred to as “Pacesetters” in the report — not only invest in innovation, but also place targeted emphasis on corporate culture, continuous training and leadership alignment.

Compared with companies lagging behind in these areas, “Pacesetters”:

• are 32% less likely to see their technology infrastructure as an obstacle;
• are 30% more likely to say their cloud can adapt to new regulations;
• were 20% less affected by cyber incidents over the past year.

You can find the full report here  Kyndryl Readiness Report.

About Kyndryl 

Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, offering consulting, implementation and management services to thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. As one of the world’s largest providers of IT infrastructure services, Kyndryl designs, builds, runs and modernises the complex information systems on which the world depends every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.

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