Bridging IT gaps in emerging technology

Unisys, a major player in global IT solutions, has published a revealing global report on how businesses are re-aligning IT strategies to integrate emerging technologies like generative AI, agentic AI, and quantum computing. Aptly named "From Complexity to Clarity: Modernizing Cloud and IT for What Comes Next," the study sourced insights from 1,000 C-Suite professionals and IT executives spanning eight diverse global markets.

The report uncovers a concerning dichotomy between ambitious business goals and insufficient IT frameworks — showcasing potential pitfalls like squandered investments, lagging innovation, and heightened cybersecurity risks. Notably, it identifies a distinguished segment, the "Innovation Leaders," exemplifying optimal IT infrastructure strategies to ignite innovation.

Key Insights

• Majority of organisations (78%) are set to amplify investment in genAI, while 73% consider agentic AI pivotal in maintaining a competitive edge.
• Only a meagre 36% express readiness for large-scale AI workloads.
• A sizeable 82% view cloud and IT as revenue generators, with significant numbers dissatisfied with ROI on cloud technologies yet poised to elevate their investment.
• A mere 14% acknowledge preparedness for post-quantum cryptography amid rising modern cyber threats.
• An astounding 85% classify their cybersecurity stance as reactive, despite soaring downtime costs.

According to Manju Naglapur, senior vice president and general manager of Cloud, Applications & Infrastructure solutions at Unisys, an immediate overhaul in infrastructures is essential to harness the capabilities of these groundbreaking technologies fully.

Executives consistently view technologies like agentic AI, quantum computing, and genAI as integral to prolonged success. Alarmingly, 73% warn that neglecting agentic AI could jeopardise competitiveness, prompting 82% of innovation leaders to allocate over 6% of IT budgets towards genAI technologies. This confidence is mirrored by 78% of organisations poised to increase their genAI investment, indicative of its burgeoning potential to foster innovation and strengthen competitive stance.

In spite of bold steps towards technology adoption, there's a consensus that current infrastructure lags. Over time, this scenario remains unchanged, revealing that obsolete infrastructure, talent deficits, and misalignment between business and IT persist as top hurdles in the cloud domain. For IT executives, the forecast remains bleak with readiness levels waning for quantum computing and comparable technologies.

Addressing these barriers is paramount for organisations wishing to leverage the complete potential of modern technologies through strategic infrastructure modernisation and heightened alignment with business objectives.

The infrastructural gap not only stifles innovation but aggravates security vulnerabilities. Recent data discloses that 17% experienced a breach within the past year, incurring downtime costs of up to $500,000 per hour. Furthermore, just 14% feel armed for post-quantum cryptography, underlying future cyber threats' implications.

While organisations grudgingly admit their reactive cybersecurity position, a promising 62% are either adopting or in the throes of adopting Zero Trust models — a significant 61% focusing on cyber recovery innovation, yet a scant 43% embracing AI-led cybersecurity solutions.

This window of opportunity could be pivotal in reinforcing defences as emerging technologies continue to add complexity.