Kyndryl Report Finds AI Returns Rise as Readiness Drops
Kyndryl reports that 64% of organizations see positive AI returns, but average readiness to manage external risks has fallen to 24%.
The IT infrastructure services provider Kyndryl released its third annual Readiness Report on November 10, 2026, revealing a widening gap between artificial intelligence investment returns and organizational preparedness. Based on a survey of 3,700 senior business leaders across 21 countries, the report found that 64% of organizations saw positive AI returns, marking a 10-percentage-point increase from 2025.
Despite these gains, average readiness to manage external risks fell to 24%. Cybersecurity is the primary concern, with only 26% of firms feeling completely prepared for cyberattacks. Infrastructure also remains a bottleneck; while 71% of leaders consider their IT infrastructure modernized, 66% of CIOs believe their foundations require significant re-architecture to support AI at scale.
Workforce transformation has lagged, with fewer than 30% of organizations updating employee roles or implementing change management for AI. Additionally, 68% of leaders expressed a willingness to pay a premium for digital sovereignty to maintain operational control. In Cyprus, the challenge centers on the safe integration of AI into the financial, energy, and professional services sectors.
