A global survey conducted by AMD in collaboration with IDC has revealed a significant shift in enterprise AI PC adoption across key markets, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Japan. The findings highlight that 82% of IT decision-makers (ITDMs) plan to acquire AI PCs before the end of the year, demonstrating growing confidence in AI’s role in business transformation.
The study builds on AMD’s 2023 Commercial Survey and reinforces the increasing optimism surrounding AI’s benefits. More than two-thirds of IT leaders are now allocating budgets specifically for AI project implementation. However, while investment in AI is accelerating, organisational readiness levels vary, with concerns around security, infrastructure, and workforce training still prevalent.
Security risks remain a primary challenge
Despite the enthusiasm for AI, security concerns remain one of the biggest hurdles to adoption. The survey found that 32% of ITDMs cite security risks as a key barrier to deploying cloud-based AI, though this figure has dropped significantly from 67% in 2023.
Many IT leaders acknowledge AI’s potential to enhance cybersecurity. Seven in ten believe AI can improve automated threat detection capabilities, but at the same time, 67% worry that AI tools may introduce new risks to security and governance policies. Some IT leaders have expressed concerns about inexperienced users handling AI-powered solutions, emphasising the need for proper safeguards to prevent security breaches.
A U.S. IT leader stated: “I have security concerns surrounding inexperienced users. Putting proper protections in place to ensure it [AI] would not be a security threat.” Similarly, a U.K. IT leader added: “Security is a big consideration as we deal with lots of sensitive customer data, and we need to be confident this can be secured.”
AI adoption faces infrastructure and workforce readiness gaps
Beyond security, IT leaders are also grappling with infrastructure limitations. More than half (52%) of those surveyed indicated that their organisations lack the necessary computing power to handle AI workloads. As AI technology rapidly evolves, many enterprises are struggling to keep pace with outdated systems.
One U.S. IT leader highlighted their concerns: “I am concerned about having an outdated infrastructure and the ability to integrate into existing systems.” A U.K. IT leader echoed similar thoughts, stating: “[My biggest concern is] the hardware needed.”
Workforce readiness is another major challenge. Many organisations are yet to implement sufficient training programmes to equip employees with AI skills. A significant number of IT leaders worry about the time and resources required to train staff on AI implementation, with some admitting that they lack internal expertise to identify AI needs effectively.
A U.S. IT leader remarked: “My biggest concern is the lack of expertise to truly understand and identify our AI needs.” Another IT leader from the U.K. added: “The amount of time and resources to train employees to implement artificial intelligence solutions is a major concern.”
AI PCs set to reshape workplace technology
Despite these challenges, AI adoption is gaining momentum, particularly with AI PCs. The survey found that 82% of ITDMs expect AI PCs to have a positive impact on employees and plan to integrate them into workplaces by the end of 2025. This aligns with IDC’s forecast that global commercial AI PC shipments will reach 93.9% by 2028, signalling strong enterprise demand for AI-powered computing.
IT leaders are increasingly optimistic about AI’s ability to enhance productivity. The study shows that 76% believe AI PCs will boost workplace efficiency—up from 67% in 2023, when ITDMs were asked about AI’s general impact. Nearly 78% also believe AI will help them accomplish more tasks each day, while 70% think it will improve work-life balance.
However, readiness levels vary. While some businesses are moving quickly to adopt AI, others are taking a more cautious approach. The survey found that 46% of IT leaders believe their organisations are not yet ready to implement AI, while 44% expect adoption to take between one and five years.
AI’s rapid evolution is pushing enterprises to act
The past six months have seen rapid advancements in AI technology, particularly with generative AI tools entering the mainstream. This has prompted many enterprises to reassess their digital transformation strategies. However, the pace of AI’s development has outstripped the ability of some organisations to keep up.
While 97% of IT leaders surveyed are familiar with AI, many still lack first-hand experience with the latest applications. More than half (52%) admitted they have yet to experiment with natural language processing apps, while 47% and 36% said the same about facial recognition systems and process automation software, respectively.
For organisations that have already prioritised AI, the benefits are clear. Nearly 90% of those who are actively investing in AI report seeing improved operational efficiencies. Furthermore, 85% believe AI is helping to improve work models, making businesses more agile and adaptive.
With AI adoption on the rise, businesses that delay implementation risk falling behind. Nearly 75% of IT leaders who are optimistic about AI believe that failing to invest now could result in their organisations losing a competitive edge in their industry.
As enterprises navigate the challenges of security, infrastructure, and workforce readiness, one thing is clear: AI is rapidly becoming a critical component of modern business operations.
