The AI-First Organization (www.rolandberger.com)

A recent study from Roland Berger highlights the critical shifts needed for organizations to truly harness the transformative power of AI. Surveying 472 executives, the research reveals that while leaders recognize the necessity for major alterations to their operating models due to AI, only 38% have begun to implement these changes. The findings point to a significant gap between ambition and execution; many organizations struggle not because of inadequate technology, but due to insufficient readiness in leadership, skills, and organizational structure. Nearly half of the respondents identified barriers related to people and capabilities as the most significant hurdles to generating AI value. The study outlines nine essential shifts that distinguish AI frontrunners from laggards. These transformations include establishing foundational governance and platforms, embedding data-driven decision-making, and evolving organizational structures to facilitate autonomous AI processes. As the competitive landscape shifts towards efficiency and agility, those who act decisively to adjust their operating models will find themselves with a substantial advantage. Ultimately, the study urges companies to prioritize structural readiness alongside technology adoption to close the widening productivity gap between AI leaders and laggards, suggesting that culture plays a pivotal role in achieving sustained AI integration.