A new global study by Thoughtworks reveals a significant reality check for businesses: while many senior leaders believe their organizations are digitally advanced, only 17% are truly leading in digital and AI readiness. The report, The State of Digital and AI Readiness, introduces a framework to evaluate organizations across five strategic pillars and highlights the importance of strategic alignment, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration in achieving sustained digital maturity.
1. Digital and AI Readiness Index Explained
- Four Maturity Tiers:
- Leaders (17%)
- Strong Performers (54%)
- Emerging Players (26%)
- Late Adopters (3%)
- Five Pillars of Readiness:
- Digital products, platforms, and services
- Enterprise modernization
- Technology management and modernization
- Data modernization
- Scaling AI from pilot to production
2. Strategic Alignment Sets Leaders Apart
- 61% of Leaders have fully developed technology strategies vs. only 19% of Late Adopters
- Alignment between business goals and technology initiatives is critical to becoming digitally advanced
- Organizations with clear strategies are better equipped to drive results and ROI
3. Continuous Improvement as a Competitive Differentiator
- 93% of all organizations recognize the need to improve their tech ecosystems
- Surprisingly, 77% of Leaders are most aware of the need for significant improvement—highlighting a culture of agility and growth
- Readiness is not static—leaders iterate and evolve with changing technology landscapes
4. ROI and Real Gains Are Limited to Leaders
- 53% of Leaders reported positive ROI from their technology investments over the past 18 months
- No other group demonstrated comparable returns, underscoring the tangible benefits of high digital maturity
- Investment in modernization, alignment, and scalability drives measurable business outcomes
5. Expert Perspectives Underscore Holistic Strategy Needs
- Rachel Laycock, CTO, Thoughtworks: Fragmented efforts in AI, data, and modernization hinder progress; unified, cross-functional strategies are essential
- Lauren Budd, Senior Research Manager, Vanson Bourne: Even top-tier organizations view readiness as ongoing, not a completed milestone
The Thoughtworks report delivers a critical message for enterprises aiming to excel in AI and digital transformation: perception does not equal performance. With only 17% of companies classified as Leaders, most organizations have substantial ground to cover. Those that embrace strategic alignment, invest in modernization, and treat readiness as a journey—not a destination—will be best positioned to thrive in the AI-driven digital economy.
