It’s Not Just the Tech—It’s the People
If the findings make one thing clear, it’s that AI success hinges more on people than tools. The study’s five maturity pillars focus not on technical sophistication, but on leadership, skills, governance, and change readiness—the human conditions that turn AI into an advantage.
1. Sponsorship: The CEO as a Change Agent
When bosses actively support AI and encourage their teams to change how they work, the technology actually gets used. In fact, when leaders showed just a small increase in this kind of support, their companies saw a 33% jump in how many AI features their employees adopted.
2. Governance and Risk: The “Goldilocks” Balance
About 30% of companies say that worries about security and privacy are the biggest roadblocks to AI success. The most successful companies address these concerns by using a “Goldilocks” model. These companies create rules that aren’t too strict or too loose. They’re strong enough to keep data safe but flexible enough that employees can actually use the tools to get work done. This balanced approach helps them get 1.2x more value in HR and 1.4x more value in finance than the average company
3. Operational Readiness: The Clean Data Mandate
AI is only as smart as the information you give it. Companies with high data maturity—which simply means their information is clean, organized, and easy to use—are twice as likely to hit their goals. They are also saving millions of dollars just by getting rid of old, messy systems that no longer serve them.
4. Organizational Knowledge: Turning Fear Into Focus
When employees are afraid AI will take their jobs, they don’t use it. The top 53 companies combat this with clear training and internal AI advocates. As a result, these companies see four times more value in internal hiring ($3.5 million annually) because their employees know how to use AI to find their next internal career move.
5. Strategy: Tracking the Wins
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. High performers create a value tracking habit, building a regular routine of checking their progress. They set metrics and stick to a schedule to ensure their investment is actually paying off in the real world.