What might decide eventual winners of intensifying AI race

The race for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation is heating up globally, yet significant gaps exist between business ambitions and the actual technological execution. Recent findings by NetApp, cited by a ToI report (by Supriya Roy), reveal that while a substantial 81% of organisations worldwide are either piloting or scaling AI initiatives, and 88% feel prepared for transformation, internal misalignments and regional disparities could ultimately determine the winner in this ultra-competitive arena.

Disparities in Readiness

The study surveyed 800 CEOs and IT leaders from key regions including the US, China, the UK, and India. Findings highlight the US as the most cohesive in aligning AI ambitions with execution. Notably, 86% of IT executives and 77% of CEOs in the US reported active AI deployment, the report titled "2025 AI Space Race" said.

Conversely, China's situation presents a stark contrast. While 92% of Chinese CEOs claim to have active AI initiatives, only 74% of their IT counterparts concur, revealing a significant disconnect.

Furthermore, when it comes to perceived readiness for AI, 68% of Chinese CEOs believe their firms are ready, yet only 58% of IT leaders share this sentiment. This divergence, the report suggests, could impair effective execution, particularly in regions prioritising rapid deployment over robust infrastructure.

India and UK: Emerging Players with Strong Alignment

India and the UK trail behind the US and China in AI leadership but show promising alignment between leadership and technological capabilities, the report said.

In fact, a notable 40% of Indian respondents and 34% of those from the UK express confidence in their respective regions' potential for future AI leadership, significantly exceeding global averages of 16% and 19%.

According to the report, this optimism may serve as a catalyst for further advancements in AI deployment in these countries.

The report identifies intelligent data infrastructure as a key factor for AI success. While integration with existing core systems is deemed essential in the US, UK, and India, China uniquely emphasises scalability.

In China, 35% of respondents view scalability as the most critical capability, which is 11 percentage points higher than the global average.

The report quoted Russell Fishman, senior director of product management at NetApp, as saying, "Winning organisations will be those that invest in secure, scalable data architecture that removes friction from AI deployment."

Concerns Over Strategies and Failures

Despite the prevailing optimism about AI's potential, a significant 79% of global leaders express concerns regarding inadequate data and cloud strategies, which could lead to AI failures, the report says.

These failures could manifest as broken models or security breaches, underscoring the importance of a solid data foundation. As organisations continue to push for AI integration, addressing these challenges will be pivotal for success in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

While the global ambition for AI is palpable, organisations must bridge the gaps between aspirations and execution to emerge as leaders in this new frontier, the report concludes on a cautionary note.