AI Readiness Index

1. We have a clear, board-agreed view of what problems we want AI to solve — not just a general mandate to "do something with AI."

2. We can articulate how AI fits our business model, not just our tech stack.

3. We've said no to at least one AI initiative because it didn't serve a real strategic priority.

4. There's a named owner accountable for AI decisions and outcomes — not a committee, a person.

5. We have a clear process for evaluating AI risk (data, legal, reputational) before deployment, not after.

6. Our AI initiatives are tracked with the same rigour as other transformation programmes — budget, milestones, benefits realisation.

7. Our data is clean, accessible, and governed well enough to support AI use reliably.

8. We know which systems and processes are actually AI-ready versus which need work first.

9. We have a realistic view of our technical debt and how it constrains AI ambitions.

10. Our leadership team understands AI well enough to ask good questions, not just approve budgets.

11. We've identified the specific skills gaps AI adoption will expose in our workforce.

12. We have a plan for how roles and ways of working will change, not just tools being added on top.

13. Our people feel informed about AI plans rather than anxious or blindsided by them.

14. We've had honest conversations about where AI will replace, augment, or leave roles unchanged.

15. Senior leaders model considered use of AI themselves, rather than leaving it to be a delegated initiative.