AI, where do you stand?

Assessing AI readiness is the most important first step

Artificial Intelligence (AI), whether you like it or not, is in your organisation.

Whether it’s employees experimenting with ChatGPT, teams exploring Microsoft Copilot, or departments “testing” AI applications. AI adoption is happening faster than most organisations can govern. Theoretically, this sounds amazing and exciting, but the risks often remain hidden.

Lots of businesses jump into AI deployment without understanding their current environment. They buy licences, launch campaigns, and create ambitious AI roadmaps before answering some basic questions:

• What AI tools are already being used?
• Is our data ready for AI?
• Who can access sensitive information?
• Are we introducing new security risks?
• Do we have the right foundations to achieve meaningful business value?

Without these answers, even the best AI strategy can struggle to deliver results.

The unspoken truth of AI adoption

Great news, leadership said yes to AI!

Different news, your team have already been using AI for some time now – eek. Teams may be uploading information into publicly available AI tools, creating content with consumer AI platforms, or using browser extensions and applications that have never been reviewed by IT. This phenomenon, often referred to as Shadow AI, creates visibility challenges and potential risks for organisations handling sensitive business information.

At the same time, many organisations are investing in Microsoft Copilot or planning AI initiatives without fully understanding whether their Microsoft 365 environment is configured appropriately.

The result is that businesses can find themselves moving quickly towards AI while lacking confidence in their security, governance and readiness. Sounds messy!

Start with a simple assessment

Current AI usage

Understanding which AI tools are already being used across the organisation is often the first eye-opener. It helps leaders identify existing behaviours, assess potential risks and understand where employees are already seeing value.

Data security risks

AI systems only work with the information they can access.

If permissions have not been reviewed, sensitive information may unintentionally become accessible to users who should not see it. Oversharing risks can quickly become more visible when AI tools are introduced into the workplace.

Governance and compliance readiness

AI governance is becoming increasingly important. Organisations need clear policies, processes and controls to ensure AI is being used responsibly and securely.

Without governance, AI adoption can become fragmented, inconsistent and difficult to manage.

Microsoft 365 and Copilot readiness

Many organisations are interested in Microsoft Copilot but are unsure whether their Microsoft 365 environment is ready to support it effectively.

AI readiness is just the beginning

Assessing your current position is the first step towards successful AI adoption, but it’s only one part of the journey.

The reality is that most organisations don’t struggle because they lack access to AI. They struggle because they lack a structured approach to implementing it safely, effectively and at scale.

That’s why we’ve developed the AI Accelerator Programme. Rather than focusing solely on technology, the programme provides a practical framework for helping organisations understand, secure, govern and maximise the value of AI across the business.

The programme is built around a series of interconnected pillars that guide organisations from initial assessment through to long-term adoption and optimisation.

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