Assess your own AI readiness
Based on Microsoft’s research and work with customers,
we’ve identified five drivers of AI value and a few simple
questions that can help identify your readiness to begin
realizing meaningful business value from AI. Based on your
answers to these 10 questions, we’ll provide the next best
area to focus on and a few resources to get you started.
What are 1–2 of your top business goals
when it comes to deploying AI?
Type here
Getting
started
Please use this scoring system as you answer the
questions on the following pages:
Each A answer: 1 point Each D answer: 4 points
Each B answer: 2 points Each E answer: 5 points
Each C answer: 3 points
Business strategy
Has your organization aligned your AI objectives with business priorities?
AI is in the early stages, and there are no clearly defined AI goals. The focus is on
A: understanding how AI can benefit your business objectives.
Specific, measurable objectives for AI projects are defined and aligned with business
B: objectives.
AI models are being implemented and their performance monitored to ensure alignment
C: with business objectives.
Successful AI initiatives are being scaled and their objectives refined based on real-world
D: results and evolving business needs.
E: There’s a continuous focus on maximizing the value delivered by AI.
Have you established approved, prioritized, and socialized use cases for AI?
There are no identified or documented AI use cases. There’s limited focus on researching
A: potential applications of AI that align with business objectives.
Potential AI use cases have been identified through workshops or brainstorming. They
B: are now being evaluated and prioritized based on factors like business impact, feasibility
(data, technical expertise, and infrastructure), and potential benefits
C: Approved use cases are under development or being deployed.
Successful AI initiatives are being scaled to a broader scope or across different
D: departments.
Existing use cases are continuously monitored and evaluated for performance against
E: established metrics.
Your score:
Technology & data strategy
Have you identified relevant data sources aligned to your AI use cases?
“There’s limited awareness of data sources aligned to AI use cases. There are no formal
A: process in place for AI initiatives.”
A data access plan is in development. It outlines strategies for acquiring complete and
B: relevant data for AI modeling.
A data access plan is being implemented, and data is being collected, cleaned, and
C: integrated for AI modeling.
A data governance framework is in place, and complete and relevant data is readily
D: available for successful AI models.
There’s a well-established data governance framework ensuring data quality and
E: accessibility. Data is continuously monitored and optimized to support ongoing
AI success.
Have you established a security protocol to protect your data, digital assets
and infrastructure?
There’s limited awareness of security best practices. There are no formal data
A: safeguarding processes in place for AI initiatives.
The organization recognizes the need for data safeguards for AI and is starting to
B: develop a plan. Basic data security policies might exist, but not specifically tailored for
AI initiatives.
A data security strategy for AI is established. Essential data security controls are
C: implemented for AI projects.
A mature data security framework is in place for AI initiatives. Data security controls are
D: consistently applied throughout the AI lifecycle.
The organization has a strong data security posture for AI. Data security is continuously
E: monitored and improved upon.
Your score:
AI strategy & experience
Do you have an approach to identify the AI models best suited for your
prioritized use cases?
There’s no formal process for selecting AI models. The focus is on understanding basic
A: AI concepts and their potential applications for achieving business objectives.
Potential AI use cases have been identified. The focus is on selecting the most
B: appropriate model for each use case based on factors like data availability and
characteristics, as well as desired model outcomes.
C: Pilot testing of chosen AI models is underway, or initial model deployment has begun.
Successful AI models are deployed and delivering value. There's a continuous
D: process for evaluating and potentially upgrading models based on real-world data and
user feedback.
A well-defined process for model selection and improvement is in place.
E: The organization actively seeks opportunities to use cutting-edge AI models for
continuous value creation.
How diverse are the roles and experiences of people involved in AI
projects?
There’s no dedicated team for AI projects. The focus is on identifying the potential
A: skillsets needed for AI development and deployment.
The organization recognizes the need for a dedicated team. A plan is being developed to
B: build a team with the necessary skills and experience.
C: An initial AI team is in place and working on AI projects.
A well-established AI team with diverse skills and experiences is successfully leading AI
D: initiatives across the organization.
The organization has a highly skilled and adaptable AI team that actively champions AI
E: adoption and integration across different business functions.
Your score:
Organization & culture
How effectively has company leadership communicated your vision and the
importance of AI for the future of the business?
There’s no clear communication from leadership about AI. The focus is on understanding
A: the potential impact of AI on the organization’s strategy.
Leadership acknowledges the potential of AI but hasn’t yet clearly communicated
B: a vision.
C: Leadership has communicated a vision for AI, and initial AI initiatives are underway.
Leadership strongly advocates for AI, and there’s a company-wide understanding of its
D: importance.
E: Leadership actively cultivates an AI-driven culture of innovation and continuous learning.
How readily available are AI skilling and credentialing resources?
There’s no formal program for developing AI skills within the organization. The focus is
A: on identifying the skills needed for successful AI adoption.
The organization recognizes the need for AI skills development. A plan is being
B: developed to make resources available.
C: Initial AI skilling programs are being offered to employees.
A comprehensive AI skills development program is in place, effectively supporting a
D: larger, more mature AI workforce.
There’s a culture of continuous learning focused on AI. The organization actively fosters
E: and promotes the development of AI expertise across all levels.
Your score:
AI governance & security
How effective are the controls that are in place to ensure the transparency,
explainability, and interpretability (TEI) of AI tools and results?
There are no formal controls in place to ensure transparency, explainability, and
A: interpretability (TEI) in AI initiatives. The focus is on understanding the importance of TEI
for responsible AI development.
The organization recognizes the need for TEI in AI initiatives. A plan is being developed to
B: implement basic TEI controls.
Initial TEI controls are in place. AI models have been documented, and basic explanations
C: for outputs have been provided.
Well-established TEI controls have been implemented. AI models are demonstrably
D: transparent, explainable, and interpretable.
The organization is a leader in TEI practices for AI development. TEI is a core principle
E: that fosters trust, transparency, and responsible AI innovation.
At what level are systems and processes in place to inform users of
applicable use cases of the AI model or tool, expected performance
metrics, and limitations?
There are no formal processes to inform users about AI models or tools. The focus is on
A: understanding the importance of user transparency in responsible AI development.
The organization recognizes the need for user communication about AI models. A plan is
B: being developed to implement basic communication practices.
Initial communication processes are in place. Users receive basic information about AI
C: models through documentation and disclaimers.
Well-established communication plans are in place. Users are actively engaged through
D: various channels and have opportunities to provide feedback.
The organization is a leader in user-centric AI development. Communication is a core
E: strength that fosters trust, transparency, and continuous improvement of AI models.
Your score:
Your AI readiness score: ______
Depending on your answers, your AI readiness falls
within one of the five stages: Exploring, Planning, Learn more about the stages
Implementing, Scaling, or Realizing. Where you can have of AI readiness with the AI
the most impact to drive AI value changes based on Strategy Roadmap:
these stages – and for each stage, we’re sharing a few [Link]/AIStrategyRoadmap
resources to help you with your next steps.
Top opportunities Top resources
Focus on building Get familiar with key AI Find out how building AI skills
concepts with our “AI in a Minute” can accelerate business
your AI strategy and video series. transformation.
Exploring experience.
Watch the videos: Read the paper:
10 – 25 points [Link]/AIinaMinute [Link]/AISkillsPaper
Top opportunities Top resources
Focus on formalizing Learn how other organizations are Make informed decisions about AI
using AI to drive business value. adoption and implementation.
your business
Planning strategy. Explore this learning path:
Read the ebook: [Link]/UnderstandingAI
26 – 37 points [Link]/AIUseCasesEbook
Top opportunities Top resources
Focus on leadership Build your own expertise to Boost your team’s technical skills
understand, prepare for, use, and with Microsoft Learn for
support and scaling
Implementing AI expertise.
build AI solutions. Organizations offerings.
Explore this learning path: Assign learning paths:
38 – 42 points [Link]/AIforLeaders [Link]/LearnforOrgs
Top opportunities Top resources
Focus on creating See how organizations across Learn how to assess innovative AI
industries are putting AI to work. solutions for their responsible
an organization
Scaling and culture of
AI impact.
Read AI success stories:
innovation. Get the guide:
43 – 46 points [Link]/MicrosoftAIStories [Link]/RAI-ImpactAssessment
Top opportunities Top resources
Focus on fostering Stay up to date on the latest Join an AI Tour event near you for
insights on AI and the future the latest on AI transformation.
continuous
Realizing innovation within
of work.
Find a local event:
every team and Check out WorkLab: [Link]/AITourLocations
47 – 50 points organization. [Link]/WorkLab
