In addition, 54 percent indicate they need help interpreting and applying the rapidly changing AI legislation. This is evident from research by IT and business transformation service provider Conclusion among 517 professionals responsible for AI within organizations of 50+ employees.
Legal framework often unclear or unknown
Although the European AI Act and other guidelines create clear frameworks for responsible use of AI, awareness of these rules is low. Only 32 percent of the surveyed organizations claim to be fully aware of all relevant laws and regulations. Alarmingly, nearly a quarter (21%) say they 'can't see the forest for the trees' and admit to largely ignoring the regulations in practice. Additionally, twenty percent feel there are too few colleagues within the organization who know what is and isn't allowed.
AI literacy remains underexposed
AI literacy – the ability to understand, assess, and responsibly use AI applications – appears to be insufficiently secured in many organizations. A quarter of respondents (25%) indicate they find AI literacy important but have not yet taken measures to train employees in this area. This is striking, especially since AI literacy is crucial not only for innovation but also for compliance with laws and regulations and for mitigating risks.
Need for action is increasing
The urgency is clear: forty percent of organizations believe that companies that do not embrace AI quickly enough will be irrelevant within five years. However, without a solid foundation of knowledge, compliance, and governance, promising AI ambitions risk stagnating into risks, standstill, or even reputational damage.
Tomas van den Nieuwendijk, director Conclusion AI 360: 'AI mercilessly exposes the gap between technological innovation and organizational maturity. Many organizations want to, but lack the knowledge to act responsibly. This is concerning, as without sufficient expertise, you risk making mistakes with legal or societal consequences and falling behind in a way that is difficult to catch up. AI literacy should not be a secondary issue, but an integral part of every AI strategy. By investing in knowledge building and governance now, you prevent falling behind the facts later.'