August 7, 2025
5 min read
Lindsey Wilkinson
EY survey finds nearly 90% of enterprises face barriers adopting agentic AI, with cybersecurity and employee concerns slowing progress.
Businesses Unprepared for AI Agents: EY Survey Findings
Nearly nine in ten enterprise leaders report encountering significant barriers to adopting agentic AI technologies, according to the latest EY U.S. AI Pulse Survey. The professional services firm commissioned a third party to survey 500 U.S.-based business decision makers across various industries.Key Adoption Barriers
- Cybersecurity concerns
- Data privacy issues
- Lack of regulation
- Company policy gaps Survey respondents also noted that approximately 60% of senior leaders in their industries—and over half within their own organizations—do not fully understand the benefits of agentic AI.
- AI Agents: The Future of Business Automation and Customer Engagement
- Understanding the Impact of AI on the Cryptocurrency Market
- Key AI Innovations Revolutionizing Finance
- Navigating Cybersecurity Concerns in the Digital Asset Space
Employee Buy-In Challenges
More than 60% of leaders agree that fear of job replacement is a major factor stifling agentic AI adoption. This pushback has prompted increased investment in employee training, with 64% of respondents anticipating more upskilling in the coming year, up from 49% last year.Enterprise Pressure and AI Investment
With ongoing market volatility, many enterprises are turning to technology projects, particularly AI, to boost productivity and drive growth. While agentic AI is gaining attention, most organizations currently focus on traditional and generative AI forms, which are delivering positive returns on investment. Traci Gusher, AI and data leader at EY Americas, told CIO Dive, “That classic AI, some generative AI, is where most organizations are focusing their efforts today, and the good news is they’re getting a good return on their investment.” According to EY’s survey, 97% of senior leaders investing in AI have experienced positive ROI, especially those allocating 5% or more of their budget. Key metrics cited include employee productivity and operational efficiency.The Novelty and Risks of Agentic AI
Agentic AI adoption and its ROI remain relatively new. Analysts believe early adopters are gaining a competitive advantage, but hesitation persists due to concerns about business disruption and other risks. Gusher emphasized, “The paralysis of the unknown is the bigger danger than moving too fast and then having to go back and modify.” She noted that adjusting processes to align with evolving regulations or capabilities is easier than starting from scratch.A Human-Centric Approach to Agentic AI
Whitt Butler, vice chair of consulting at EY Americas, highlighted the importance of a deliberate, human-centered approach: “The future of work will be shaped by how well organizations prepare their people, embed responsible governance and align AI capabilities with real business outcomes.” Early adopters are already seeing value from agentic AI, primarily using it to assist and manage processes, tasks, and workflows.Source: Businesses unprepared for AI agents: EY by Lindsey Wilkinson, published August 7, 2025.