Businesses unprepared for AI agents: EY

Businesses Unprepared for AI Agents: EY Survey Insights

Nearly nine in ten enterprise leaders report encountering significant barriers to adopting agentic AI, according to the latest EY U.S. AI Pulse Survey. The professional services firm commissioned a third-party survey of 500 U.S.-based business decision makers across various industries to assess readiness and challenges.

Key Adoption Barriers

• Cybersecurity concerns and data privacy issues rank among the top obstacles.
• Lack of clear regulation and gaps in company policies further complicate adoption.
• Around 60% of leaders believe that fear of job replacement among employees will stifle AI agent adoption.
• Many respondents feel that senior leaders in their industry and within their own organizations lack a clear understanding of agentic AI’s benefits.

Employee Buy-In and Training

Employee pushback is a major concern, prompting increased investment in upskilling. The survey found that 64% of organizations anticipate more training over the next year, up from 49% the previous year.

Enterprise Pressure and AI Investment

With ongoing market volatility, enterprises are turning to AI and automation to boost productivity and growth. While traditional AI and generative AI projects dominate current efforts, agentic AI remains novel but promising. Traci Gusher, AI and data leader at EY Americas, noted, “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.

The Risks of Hesitation

Despite the promise, many organizations hesitate to adopt agentic AI due to potential business disruption and other risks. Gusher warns, “Those organizations that hold back are going to regret that.” She adds that adapting existing processes to evolving regulations or new capabilities is easier than starting from scratch, emphasizing that “the paralysis of the unknown is the bigger danger than moving too fast and then having to go back and modify.”

A Human-Centric Approach

Whitt Butler, vice chair of consulting at EY Americas, stresses the importance of a deliberate, human-centric 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 and Use Cases

Early adopters of agentic AI are already seeing value, primarily using the technology to assist and manage processes, tasks, and workflows.

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Source: Originally published at CIO Dive on August 7, 2025.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Adoption and Barriers

Q: What are the primary barriers preventing businesses from adopting agentic AI? A: The main barriers identified include cybersecurity concerns, data privacy issues, a lack of clear regulation, gaps in company policies, and employee fear of job replacement. Additionally, many leaders feel that senior management lacks a clear understanding of agentic AI's benefits. Q: What percentage of enterprise leaders are facing significant barriers to agentic AI adoption? A: Nearly nine in ten enterprise leaders (approximately 90%) are encountering significant barriers. Q: What percentage of leaders believe employee fear of job replacement will hinder AI agent adoption? A: Around 60% of leaders believe that fear of job replacement among employees will stifle AI agent adoption.

AI Investment and ROI

Q: Where are organizations primarily focusing their AI efforts? A: Organizations are primarily focusing their efforts on traditional AI and generative AI projects. Q: What percentage of senior leaders investing in AI have experienced positive ROI? A: A significant 97% of senior leaders investing in AI have experienced positive ROI, particularly those allocating 5% or more of their budget.

Employee Preparedness and AI

Q: How are organizations addressing employee concerns about AI adoption? A: Organizations are increasing investments in upskilling and anticipate providing more training. Specifically, 64% of organizations anticipate more training over the next year, an increase from 49% the previous year.

Risks and Strategic Approach

Q: What is the main danger organizations face by hesitating to adopt agentic AI? A: The primary danger is the "paralysis of the unknown," which is considered more hazardous than moving too quickly and needing to make modifications later. Q: What is considered crucial for shaping the future of work with AI? A: A human-centric approach is crucial, focusing on preparing people, embedding responsible governance, and aligning AI capabilities with real business outcomes.

Crypto Market AI's Take

The findings from the EY survey highlight a common challenge across industries: the gap between AI's potential and organizational readiness. This is particularly relevant in the dynamic cryptocurrency space. At AI Crypto Market, we understand that the successful integration of advanced AI, including agentic AI, requires not only robust technology but also a strategic approach to human capital and governance. Our platform is designed to bridge this gap by providing AI-powered tools that are both powerful and user-friendly, coupled with comprehensive educational resources that demystify complex AI concepts. We believe that a human-centric approach, as emphasized in the survey, is key to unlocking the true benefits of AI in finance, ensuring that technology amplifies human potential. For businesses looking to navigate the complexities of AI adoption, understanding the underlying technologies and their strategic implications is paramount. Explore our insights on AI Agents and Business Automation to learn how AI is reshaping industries and how you can leverage it effectively.

More to Read:

• The Future of AI in Finance: Trends and Predictions for 2025
• Understanding the Impact of Market Volatility on Crypto Investments
• Navigating Cybersecurity Risks in the Digital Asset Landscape