At the 2025 USF Convention, amid conferences, workshops, and lively discussions, we interviewed a panel of HR, Finance, and IT decision-makers to assess their organizations’ maturity regarding artificial intelligence — the initiatives already launched, the challenges encountered, and their concrete expectations. Our goal: to go beyond the rhetoric and, with supporting data, paint a realistic picture of how AI is (or isn’t) shaping corporate strategies — a nuanced landscape marked by enthusiasm, pragmatism, and the need for guidance.
First lesson: AI maturity varies greatly depending on the role and the company. While 36% of respondents say they are “very advanced” (AI is integrated into their short-, medium-, and long-term strategy), 27% are still in the testing phase, and 36% consider themselves “novices,” with the subject remaining unclear or irrelevant to them.
IT functions lead the pack: 55% of respondents, the majority of whom show advanced maturity. HR and Purchasing, on the other hand, remain more cautious, often at the discovery or acculturation stage.
On the IT side, initiatives are flourishing: AI cafés, transcription tools, document optimization, GPU servers, AI applied to finance or logistics, co-pilots, etc. HR is moving towards acculturation, training, or the creation of dedicated task forces. In finance, AI-assisted training and the automation of accounting tasks are being trialed. Conversely, purchasing and marketing departments report few initiatives at this stage.
The main obstacles to adopting AI? Lack of time and practice (cited by 18% of respondents), resistance to change (“old school managers,” “fear of the unknown,” “slightly older workforce”: 27%), and lack of knowledge about data security and confidentiality (18%). Added to this are concerns about cost, ROI, and understanding use cases.
The main obstacles to adopting AI? Lack of time and practice (cited by 18% of respondents), resistance to change (“old school managers,” “fear of the unknown,” “slightly older workforce”: 27%), and lack of knowledge about data security and confidentiality (18%). Added to this are concerns about cost, ROI, and understanding use cases.
This survey reveals a reality: AI is no longer a laboratory topic, but an operational and strategic issue for all departments. However, there is still a long way to go, particularly for HR and Purchasing departments. Human support, training, and securing usage are the keys to transforming the trial.
Want to accelerate your company's AI maturity, remove obstacles, and turn your ambitions into results? Our hybrid team (consulting + technology) supports you every step of the way, from strategy to implementation.
Contact us to write the next page of your AI transformation together.
