AI investments rise but workforce readiness lags behind

WalkMe's latest report highlights a significant gap between AI investment and employee readiness in enterprises, as many businesses face digital adoption challenges.

The "State of Digital Adoption 2025, Special AI Edition" report reveals that while 79% of executive leaders are optimistic about achieving their AI transformation objectives, only 28% of employees feel they have received sufficient training to leverage AI effectively. A mere 25% have managed to enhance their work efficiency with AI.

WalkMe's research indicates that large enterprises are poised to increase AI spending by 64% in 2025, rising from USD $14 million to USD $23 million. However, the lack of effective digital adoption strategies could result in wasted investments. The report notes that enterprises with a well-implemented digital adoption strategy could see their digital transformation ROI increase from 22% to 64%.

Dan Adika, Co-Founder & CEO of WalkMe, underscored the importance of the workforce in realising the potential of AI technologies. "As we release the fourth annual State of Digital Adoption report, it's clear that while AI is transforming enterprise ambitions, its success hinges on people," he said. "Over a decade of innovation in digital adoption has shown us one truth: technology alone doesn't deliver results – people do. This year's findings outline actionable steps leaders can take to close the readiness gap and turn their AI investments into impact."

Although AI investments are increasing, the report identified a critical issue concerning enterprise software use. On average, executives estimate that their companies use 37 applications, while WalkMe data shows the actual figure is 625—a 17-fold discrepancy. This misjudgment affects organisations' abilities to manage software investments effectively and support digital transformation.

Andrea Lippin, Managing Director at Accenture, emphasised the role of digital adoption platforms in maximising AI transformation efforts. "WalkMe's research highlights a clear need for organizations to bridge the AI adoption gap, and digital adoption platforms play a vital role in enabling organizations to maximize their AI transformation efforts," she stated. "The report showed that AI has sparked 93% of enterprises to reevaluate key parts of their digital organization, including IT infrastructure, software applications, and talent to unlock the benefits of AI. We are entering a new chapter of business innovation that will have lasting implications across industries. And that is why we recommend a WalkMe first approach—ensuring that AI adoption is not only strategic but also seamless, intuitive, and scalable."

The research, conducted via a survey of 3,700 senior executives and employees, also draws on data from WalkMe's user base of 1.5 million users across 2,400 enterprise applications. It provides strategic guidance for business leaders on how to close the AI adoption gap, optimise IT investments, and enhance productivity in the coming years.

Further findings from WalkMe's report indicate that employees reportedly lose 36 working days annually due to technology frustrations. Meanwhile, digital adoption investments have risen from USD $2.8 million in 2023 to USD $5.1 million in 2025. Additionally, there is an observed increase in digital adoption teams, with 73% of large organisations now having six or more individuals tasked with facilitating software adoption, up from 63% in 2024.

Alexa Cordell, Senior Learning Technology Manager at EDF Renewables, stressed the importance of employee engagement in AI success. "The success of AI in the enterprise is all about execution and, as this research shows, much of that is in the hands of employees," she said. "It's about ensuring employees can seamlessly adopt and integrate it into their workflows to drive both individual and organisational success."