Turning AI Ambition into Everyday Results
Riverbed, a leader in AI observability, has released new findings from its Global AI & Digital Experience Survey. The takeaway is clear: leaders see big promise in AI, yet many aren’t fully ready to act. While 94% of respondents say AI is a top priority in the C-Suite and 91% see it as a source of competitive advantage, a notable 63% acknowledge barriers to readiness that make real-world implementation harder than headlines suggest.
Optimism Meets Obstacles
Where Things Stand Now
As organizations lean into AI, they’re running into familiar hurdles—data quality and scale. Many expect a wave of practical AI solutions in the next few years, but today there’s a sizable gap between intent and preparedness. Teams can see the path forward; they just aren’t all equipped to walk it yet.
Even so, momentum is building. By 2027, 86% of organizational leaders expect their companies to be fully equipped to execute AI strategies. That confidence points to a shift from AI as a buzzword to AI as a day-to-day part of how work gets done.
From Efficiency Tool to Growth Engine
Most organizations currently apply AI to streamline operations—things like speeding up workflows and automating routine tasks. By 2027, that stance is set to broaden: 58% expect to use AI primarily to drive growth. Trust is also taking shape in practical ways. Asked about reliability, 61% of respondents said they’d trust AI to handle a crucial IT upgrade over stepping into a driverless vehicle for a high-stakes ride.
Engagement Across the Organization and Generations
What Different Teams Are Saying
Enthusiasm spans levels and generations, with strong interest from C-Suite leaders and younger employees alike. Right now, 66% of leaders consider AI a strategic priority, and 94% of executives believe AI improves digital user experiences. Overall sentiment skews positive—59% hold favorable views—while skepticism remains low at 4%.
Moving from Pilots to Scale
Most companies are moving past experimentation. A full 65% are ramping up AI strategies by investing in infrastructure and talent, and another 23% are closing in on full integration. That progression signals maturity: leaders see AI not as a side project but as a capability that can improve performance across the business.
AI’s Role in IT and the Digital Experience
Improving the Day-to-Day Experience
Riverbed’s prior surveys show IT efficiency increasingly rises or falls with employees’ digital experiences. That’s especially true as Gen Z and Millennials—now a large share of the workforce—expect responsive, reliable tools. In this context, 86% of leaders say AI automation is essential to optimizing IT processes and user experiences, pointing to practical tools like 24/7 chat support and automated workflow management.
What’s Next for IT Services
Change is coming quickly. In just over a year, 34% of organizations expect to implement Generative AI within IT operations. Many are testing the waters through pilot projects and proofs of concept, aiming to lift productivity and improve the digital employee experience. The expected result: better day-to-day work, higher satisfaction, and stronger performance.
Mind the Gaps: Reality, Readiness, Data
Reality, Readiness, and Data Gaps
Despite the momentum, three gaps keep showing up. The Reality Gap: 82% of leaders feel confident about how their AI adoption stacks up against competitors, a signal that some may be overstating their current capabilities. The Readiness Gap: only 37% say they’re fully prepared to roll out AI initiatives right now. And the Data Gap: while 85% agree high-quality data is critical for AI success, 69% doubt their data is truly usable. In short, vision is strong; foundations need work.
The Path Forward
To close those gaps, many organizations are forming dedicated AI teams and training models with real data sets to sharpen outcomes. Observability is also rising as a must-have: 86% highlight the need for visibility across IT platforms to support a reliable AIOps strategy. The pattern is practical—get the data right, make performance visible, and build teams that can own the work.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Next Stretch
With strong engagement across generations and more leaders naming AI as a strategic priority, the near-term outlook is promising. As organizations remove barriers, invest in readiness, and translate plans into execution, they stand to see gains in operational efficiency, revenue growth, and better digital experiences for employees and customers. The Riverbed Global AI & Digital Experience Survey offers a snapshot of where things stand—and a path forward for organizations that want to thrive in a data-driven world without losing sight of what it takes to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the headline findings from Riverbed’s Global AI & Digital Experience Survey?
Leaders overwhelmingly prioritize AI and see competitive upside, yet many face readiness barriers and data quality concerns. The data points to strong optimism alongside practical gaps that need attention.
2. How is AI improving day-to-day operations?
AI automates routine tasks and streamlines IT processes, which boosts efficiency and frees teams to focus on higher-value work. Examples include 24/7 chat support and automated workflow management.
3. What did the survey reveal about generational attitudes?
Interest is broad, with notable enthusiasm among C-Suite leaders and younger employees. Overall sentiment toward AI is largely positive, and many executives believe it improves digital user experiences.
4. Which gaps are most common in AI adoption?
Three show up repeatedly: a Reality Gap between perceived and actual maturity, a Readiness Gap with only a minority feeling fully prepared today, and a Data Gap tied to data quality and usability.
5. What steps can organizations take to get AI-ready?
Form dedicated AI teams, work with high-quality and usable data, and make observability a priority across IT platforms to support reliable AIOps and accountable outcomes.
