AI Readiness: A New Year, A Fresh Start
Happy January, friends! There’s something about the start of a new year that makes us all want to take stock of where we are and where we’re headed. For many organizations, 2025 feels like a year of possibility, especially when it comes to AI. But let’s be honest: AI is still that mysterious, slightly intimidating topic sitting in the corner of the room for many people. You know it’s important, but figuring out where to start? That’s another story.
Well, I’ve got some good news. I’ve been working on an AI maturity model that I’ll be releasing in the coming weeks. This framework is designed to help organizations understand where they fall on the AI spectrum and map out a path toward strategic AI application. I’m so excited to share it with you! But in the meantime, let’s talk about readiness: the foundation for everything AI-related.
What Does “AI Readiness” Even Mean?
Think of AI readiness as the baseline. It’s where your organization stands right now in terms of understanding, adopting, and planning for AI. It’s about recognizing your strengths, identifying your gaps, and being honest about where you need help. (Pro tip: Most organizations need help. You’re not alone!)
To make this process easier, I created the AI Readiness Assessment in collaboration with Dr. Mary C. Kelly (ProductiveLeaders.com), a leadership and transformation expert. Together, we designed this tool to help leaders like you evaluate your organization’s AI journey. This isn’t some dry, theoretical exercise. It’s practical, actionable, and insightful. And as a self-proclaimed data nerd, I’ve absolutely loved watching trends and responses evolve over time as more leaders take it.
I don’t want to skew your possible responses by showing all the data or trends but, I’ll share just this one tidbit. While the majority of respondents (59%) claimed to know a bit about AI and are on their way to understanding it better, a significant portion (21%) have only heard about it without delving deeper into its capabilities. This suggests that there is a gap in knowledge about AI, which could potentially hinder individuals and businesses from fully harnessing its power. On the other hand, 16% of respondents consider themselves pretty savvy when it comes to AI and claim to understand it well. This is promising, as it indicates that there are individuals who are actively engaging with AI and are reaping its benefits. However, there is always room for improvement and continuous learning in this fast-paced technological landscape. For the 4% of respondents who admitted to having no clue about AI, it’s time to get started exploring the technology. There is no time like the present!
What Does the AI Readiness Assessment Measure?
Our assessment focuses on four key areas:
- Understanding & Attitude Towards AI
Are you cautiously curious? Skeptical but intrigued? Ready to dive in headfirst? This section gauges how you and your leadership team feel about AI and its role in your business. Spoiler: Most leaders start with curiosity, and that’s a great place to begin. - Current AI Adoption
How is AI being used in your organization today? Whether you’ve got a few tools running behind the scenes or a team already experimenting with generative AI, this section helps pinpoint where you stand. (Fun fact: A lot of leaders discover their teams are using AI tools they didn’t even know about!) - Future AI Planning
Do you have a clear roadmap for integrating AI into your strategy, or are you still figuring things out? This part assesses your vision for AI over the next 12 months and beyond. - Opportunities for AI Implementation and Impact
Where can AI make the biggest difference in your organization? From customer service to sales, operations, or even HR, this section identifies areas where AI could help you work smarter, not harder.
What We’ve Learned from Leaders Around the World
Here’s where it gets exciting. Leaders across industries and geographies have taken the AI Readiness Assessment, and the results have revealed some fascinating trends:
- Curiosity is universal. Whether you’re in tech, retail, healthcare, or finance, most leaders start their AI journey with curiosity and cautious optimism. That’s a fantastic mindset because curiosity drives exploration.
- AI adoption is uneven. Some organizations are blazing trails, while others are still figuring out what AI can do for them. There’s no right or wrong place to start—just the next step forward.
- Common challenges: Leaders consistently point to education, strategy, and resources as the biggest hurdles to AI adoption. (And yes, I’m already planning blog posts to tackle each of these!)
Why You Should Take the Assessment
If you’re still on the fence, let me break it down for you:
- It’s fast. Most people finish the assessment in under 10 minutes.
- It’s insightful. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of where you stand and what you need to do next.
- It’s actionable. Your customized report will include specific recommendations tailored to your responses.
Plus, it’s a great way to start the year with clarity and focus. Imagine walking into your next leadership meeting with concrete insights about your AI strategy.
Next Steps: Get Ready for the AI Maturity Model
Taking the AI Readiness Assessment is the perfect way to prepare for the upcoming AI maturity model I’ll be releasing soon. The maturity model will go deeper, providing a structured framework to guide your AI journey step by step. But for now, the readiness assessment is your starting line.
What’s even better? We’ve tailored this assessment to meet the unique needs of different leaders. There are three versions available: one for business leaders, one for government leaders, and one for sales professionals. Each version is designed to address the challenges and opportunities specific to your role and industry.
Are you ready to see where you stand? Click below to take your AI Readiness Assessment now.
Business Leader AI Readiness Assessment
Government Leader AI Readiness Assessment
Sales Professional AI Readiness Assessment
Let’s make 2025 the year you embrace AI with confidence, clarity, and purpose. I’m here to help every step of the way—and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you.
