Companies Invest in AI, But Few Are Truly Prepared

• While 78% of firms plan to invest in generative AI, only 36% feel ready to support large-scale deployments, according to Unisys research.

Ambition Outpaces Infrastructure

A new global study by Unisys reveals a growing disconnect between corporate enthusiasm for emerging technologies and the readiness of their IT infrastructure. Although 78% of companies intend to increase investment in generative AI, only a third believe their systems can handle the demands of large-scale implementation. This gap poses risks to innovation, return on investment, and cybersecurity resilience. European organizations, in particular, show high interest but lag behind in technical preparedness.

The report, titled From Complexity to Clarity: Modernizing Cloud and IT for What Comes Next, surveyed 1,000 executives and IT decision-makers across eight countries. Respondents highlighted generative AI, agentic AI, and quantum computing as strategic priorities. Despite this, just 36% of organizations feel equipped to manage high-volume AI workloads. The findings suggest that without modernization, many firms may struggle to realize the full potential of their tech investments.

Europe’s Enthusiasm Meets Technical Shortfalls

European companies demonstrate above-average optimism about AI’s role in competitiveness, with 80% of leaders viewing agentic AI as essential. However, only 25% believe their infrastructure can support quantum technologies, compared to 33% globally. Preparedness for generative AI stands at 36%, while just 21% feel ready for agentic AI deployments. These figures reflect one of the widest regional gaps between ambition and capability.

Cybersecurity strategies also show signs of strain. In Europe, 90% of organizations admit their defenses focus more on reacting to attacks than preventing them. This reactive posture leaves systems vulnerable, especially as threats evolve. The report emphasizes the need for proactive security models and better alignment between IT and business priorities.

Security and Scalability Remain Pressing Issues

Across all regions, outdated infrastructure and talent shortages continue to hinder progress. Only 14% of leaders say their systems are ready for post-quantum encryption, despite rising concerns about future-proofing data protection. The cost of downtime during security incidents can reach $500,000 per hour, yet most firms still rely on legacy approaches. While 62% have adopted or plan to implement Zero Trust frameworks, only 43% use AI-driven cybersecurity tools.

A small group of “Innovation Leaders” stands out in the report. These roughly 100 companies allocate more than 6% of their IT budgets to generative AI-based data management and show stronger alignment between technical and strategic goals. Their example suggests that targeted investment and infrastructure upgrades can accelerate adoption. Still, the broader market faces significant hurdles in scaling new technologies effectively.