Cisco AI Readiness Index - Cisco

A key component of the index is the feedback from 2,500 CEOs across 23 countries, revealing their perspectives on AI's role in 2026. This feedback sheds light on the ambitions, barriers, and priorities that organizations face as they scale AI technologies. The index identifies the most AI-ready companies, which consistently outperform their peers in terms of value realization.

The index is structured around six pillars of AI readiness, allowing organizations to track trends and compare their performance against regional, market, and industry benchmarks. Tools such as the Look-up Tool and Assessment Tool help businesses determine their current standing and what it takes to become a Pacesetter in AI deployment.

The findings indicate that 97% of Pacesetters deploy AI at the necessary scale and speed to realize value, compared to just 41% of organizations globally. This stark contrast underscores the importance of strategic infrastructure decisions that can compound over time. Furthermore, 99% of Pacesetters have a well-defined AI strategy, emphasizing that effective execution requires careful planning.

The index also highlights the challenges organizations face, such as network readiness for AI workloads. Only 15% of companies report having networks fully prepared for AI, which can lead to bottlenecks when AI workloads surge. Additionally, data centralization is crucial, with 76% of Pacesetters having fully centralized data compared to only 19% overall.

Security is another critical aspect, with 84% of Pacesetters implementing end-to-end encryption and continuous monitoring, compared to 30% of all companies. This focus on security fosters trust and enables faster AI deployment. Moreover, comprehensive change management plans are essential, as 91% of Pacesetters have such plans in place, compared to just 35% of other organizations.

In conclusion, the Cisco AI Readiness Index not only benchmarks AI readiness but also provides actionable insights for organizations looking to enhance their AI capabilities and infrastructure. By understanding the strategies and practices of AI leaders, businesses can better position themselves to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.