ServiceNow Index Finds Corporate AI Spending Outpaces Operational Readiness

The 2026 Enterprise AI Maturity Index from ServiceNow, Inc. reveals a stark disconnect between corporate investment and actual operational capacity. While enterprise spending on artificial intelligence increased by 110%, the maturity index score rose only 16 points to 51 out of 100, suggesting that foundational systems are not keeping pace with financial commitments.

A survey of 4,500 executives and 2,000 employees indicates that disconnected systems and fragmented data prevent organizations from scaling AI effectively. The report identifies a small group of "Pacesetters"—the top 21% of mature organizations—who successfully avoid these issues by prioritizing governance and connected data before deployment.

ServiceNow, Inc. also highlights a growing leadership gap within the workforce. Half of the surveyed employees believe their organizations are failing to prepare them for AI evolution, and 50% feel their current roles are becoming less necessary. Holly Briedis, Senior Vice President of Global Industries and Solutions at ServiceNow, Inc., argues that the adoption curve often stalls due to failing underlying data rather than the technology itself.