AI Readiness Survey of Small and Midsize Businesses

This report is a technical document that presents the findings of the AI Readiness Survey conducted by IDC, commissioned by SAS, involving 1,600 leaders from small and midsize businesses (SMBs) across 28 countries. The report identifies the gap between the ambitions of SMBs regarding AI implementation and their actual capabilities to execute these ambitions, termed the readiness-reality gap. It outlines the current stages of AI maturity among SMBs, revealing that nearly 70% are still in the early stages of adoption. The report details the four interconnected dimensions of the AI Readiness Index: Planning, Building, Enabling, and Executing, which collectively assess how organizations can effectively deploy AI. It emphasizes that while many SMBs are beginning to adopt AI, they face significant challenges in scaling these initiatives. The report also includes a self-assessment tool to help organizations benchmark their AI readiness and provides targeted guidance for various leadership roles, highlighting the need for a structured approach to AI strategy and execution.