Cisco simply launched its third annual Cisco AI Readiness Index*displaying that about 7% of organizations surveyed within the European Union (EU) —and 13% globally— outperform their friends throughout each measure of AI worth. This yr’s report reveals early indicators of disruption to worth: rising AI workloads, inadequate GPU capability, and a scarcity of centralized information, amongst others.
AI infrastructure debt: the rising drag on worth
The report introduces the idea of AI infrastructure debtthe fashionable evolution of technical and digital debt that after held again digital transformation. It’s the silent accumulation of compromises, deferred upgrades, and underfunded structure that erodes the worth of AI over time.
Some early warning indicators are already seen: within the surveyed EU nations, 45% anticipate workloads to rise by over 30% inside three years, 66% battle to centralize information, solely 23% have sturdy GPU capability, and 21% can detect or forestall AI-specific threats. Over a 3rd (36%) of EU respondents say their networks can’t scale for complexity or information quantity, and simply 9% describe their networks as versatile or adaptable.
These early warning indicators level to a spot between AI ambition and operational readiness. The businesses which can be most prepared present a sustained benefit throughout the board, indicating a brand new type of resilience: a disciplined, system strategy that balances strategic drivers with the info and infrastructure wanted to maintain tempo with AI’s accelerating evolution. They’re already architecting for the long run with 98% designing their networks for the expansion, scale and complexity of AI, in comparison with 32% within the seven EU nations surveyed.
The mixture of foresight and basis is delivering actual, tangible outcomes at a time when two main forces are beginning to reshape the panorama: AI brokers, which elevate the bar for scale, safety, and governance; and AI infrastructure debt, the early warning indicators of hidden bottlenecks that threaten to erode long-term worth.
The AI Readiness Index pinpoints among the identical essential gaps recognized by the EU’s Apply AI Technique, and makes it clear that organizations taking a disciplined, early strategy to AI are already reaping measurable rewards. Readiness is the true differentiator; those that spend money on sturdy infrastructure and proactive methods are positioning themselves to seize the total worth of AI, each now and as calls for speed up. The upcoming EU Cloud and AI Improvement Act is a chance to empower Europe to construct the sturdy infrastructure foundations wanted for scalable AI innovation.
Cisco’s analysis outlines a constant sample amongst AI leaders delivering actual returns.
- AI needs to be a part of the enterprise, not a facet undertaking
Practically half (48%) of EU survey respondents say they’ve an outlined AI roadmap, and 27% have a change-management plan. For pacesetters globally, budgets match intent, with 79% making AI the highest funding precedence. However this quantity drastically falls to 18% total within the EU, with 34% having short- and long-term funding methods. - Constructing infrastructure that’s able to develop
71% of pacesetters globally say their networks are absolutely versatile and might scale immediately for any AI undertaking, displaying a serious hole with the surveyed EU nations (9% total). Within the EU, 39% of respondents say they plan on investing in new data-center capability throughout the subsequent 12 months. - Transferring pilots into manufacturing
Within the EU, solely 8% of respondents have a mature, repeatable innovation course of for producing and scaling AI use circumstances, and 11% have already finalized these use circumstances. - Turning safety into power
Solely 34% of all EU respondents are extremely conscious of AI-specific threats, a fourth (24%) combine AI into their safety and identification programs, and 35% are absolutely outfitted to manage and safe AI brokers.
Pacesetters obtain extra widespread outcomes than their friends due to their strategy: 90% report positive aspects in profitability, productiveness, and innovation, in contrast with 57% total throughout the EU.
*In regards to the Cisco AI Readiness Index 2025
The Cisco AI Readiness Index 2025 is a worldwide research, now in its third yr, primarily based on a double-blind survey of 8,000 senior IT and enterprise leaders liable for AI technique at organizations with over 500 workers throughout 26 industries. The survey included near 1,500 respondents from seven EU nations (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden).
