A Comprehensive Study on AI Adoption Barriers in Enterprises Revealed by EPAM

What Is Holding Up AI Adoption for Businesses? A New EPAM Study Reveals Key Findings



In an intriguing reveal, EPAM Systems, Inc., a prominent player in digital transformation, has published its insightful research on the current landscape of AI adoption in enterprises. The report, titled "From Hype to Impact: How Enterprises Can Unlock Real Business Value with AI," is based on a survey involving over 7,300 participants from nine different countries across various industries. The findings of this study highlight significant disparities between perceived and actual progress in AI deployment.

The research suggests that nearly half of businesses participating in the survey consider themselves "advanced" in terms of AI implementation. However, only a small fraction—approximately 26% of these self-described advanced entities—have been successful in bringing AI use cases to market. This discrepancy sheds light on the challenges organizations face as they attempt to transition from AI experimentation to effective deployment.

Elaina Shekhter, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at EPAM, remarked, "The influx of AI technologies following the introduction of ChatGPT in 2023-2024 fostered a wave of experimentation among companies. Yet, our findings indicate that the true measure of success will come from strategically identifying high-value use cases and aligning them with broader business objectives. Those who can achieve this will be the ones to gain significant value from their AI investments by 2025."

Key Findings from EPAM's Research



The study has uncovered several key insights that reflect the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the AI landscape:

1. Increased Investment in AI: Businesses are projected to ramp up their AI spending by 14% year-on-year in 2025, indicating a sustained commitment towards leveraging AI for growth.

2. Challenges in Scaling AI: While 30% of companies that are technologically advanced report having implemented AI at scale, many are still grappling with the transition from pilot projects to widespread application across their enterprises.

3. Financial Impact of AI: Market leaders, or "disruptors," claim that over half (53%) of their anticipated profits in 2025 will stem from their AI investments, showcasing a direct correlation between AI integration and monetization.

4. Governance and Security Concerns: Organizations forecast needing at least 18 months to establish effective AI governance due to the complexities involved in aligning with the rapidly changing regulatory environment.

5. Focus on AI Talent: Approximately 43% of companies surveyed plan to hire for AI-related positions throughout 2025, identifying machine learning engineers and AI researchers as the most sought-after roles in the market.

Dmitry Tovpeko, Vice President of Engineering at EPAM, added, "While enhanced productivity remains a key goal, true transformation will hinge on aligning tech teams with business priorities rather than simply ensuring collaboration between IT and business departments. As we witness the evolution of AI within enterprises, developers must emerge as strategic voices capable of leveraging AI across comprehensive scenarios."

Framework for Effective AI Implementation



The report emphasizes several critical areas that organizations must address to ensure successful AI adoption:

  • - People, Processes, and Culture: Effective AI deployment requires a strong executive leadership presence that champions clear priorities and objectives. The data indicates that 65% of organizations identifying as disruptors recognize the importance of possessing the essential skills needed for successful AI implementation.

  • - Modernizing Business and Technology: A notable 31% of executives linked outdated technology with slow AI adoption, underscoring the necessity for alignment between business goals and technical frameworks. Establishing a clear organizational direction can enable engineering teams to craft effective modernization strategies.

  • - Prioritizing Security: Security remains a decisive factor for senior executives and engineering stakeholders, especially in contexts involving data protection and quality. Alarmingly, 35% of respondents identified a lack of advanced security protocols as a primary barrier to achieving modernization goals.

  • - Governance for Responsible AI Use: While 75% of so-called advanced entities claim to have set definitive AI strategies in place, only a mere 4% of disruptors report having comprehensive governance structures ready for implementation, with the timeline to establish these frameworks being optimistically projected at 18 months.

As the report suggests, the year 2025 will witness a critical shift in strategy—with enterprises focusing on integrated approaches for governing data and AI compliance. Nir Kaldero, Chief AI Officer at EPAM NEORIS, noted that many organizations transitioned from mere experimentation to scalable applications, acknowledging the significance of challenges as potential opportunities. The focal point for enterprises will no longer be just on AI implementation for operational efficiencies but rather on strategic integration across their entire value chain to enhance revenue generation and optimize customer experience.

For more detailed insights and practical recommendations tailored for different stages of AI adoption, the complete report can be accessed at www.epam.com/ai-report-2025.

Conclusion



The continually evolving landscape of AI adoption poses complex challenges but also unveils accelerating opportunities for businesses willing to embrace and strategically align their approaches. With the right execution, enterprises can ultimately unlock substantial business value through AI, ensuring that they not only stay competitive but thrive in an increasingly digital future.

Topics Business Technology)

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