As someone who’s spent years navigating the evolving landscape of data and AI, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly artificial intelligence has shifted from a strategic talking point to a core operational capability. But while the pressure to “do something with AI” is stronger than ever, the reality is that most organisations are unsure of where to begin. What does it actually mean to be AI-ready?
Being AI-ready is not about deploying a chatbot or experimenting with a model. It is about embracing the full potential of AI. It is about establishing strong foundations across your data estate, governance structures, technology stack, and critically, your culture and ways of working. Success with AI depends on how well your organisation can adapt, collaborate, and integrate AI into everyday decision-making. Without these foundations in place, you risk inefficiency, compliance challenges, and missed opportunities.
And that’s exactly what we’ll be exploring in our upcoming webinar with bluesource, AI Readiness – The Roadmap to Secure Scalable, and Compliant Success on 16th October. I’ll be sharing practical insights from real-world engagements, covering everything from governance frameworks to use cases that actually move the needle. Sign up here to join me on the webinar and read on to learn more about the steps you need to consider before diving into AI.
5 Things to Do Before Assessing Your AI Readiness
Getting ready for an AI readiness assessment means looking beyond the hype and taking practical steps that set your organisation up for success. Here are five key things to focus on:
1. Collaboration is Key
AI is not an IT-only initiative; it requires collaboration across the business. Involve stakeholders from operations, compliance, and strategy to ensure alignment on objectives, use cases, and guardrails. This approach helps ensure AI initiatives are designed with both technical feasibility and business value in mind.
2. Secure Business Buy-In Early
AI projects can stall if they lack executive sponsorship or a clear connection to business value. Engage decision-makers and demonstrate how AI aligns with organisational goals before delving into technical work. Early buy-in creates champions within the organisation who can help drive adoption and cultural change.
3. Look Beyond a Single Technology
Don’t fall into the trap of assuming one tool, model, or platform will solve everything. Compare and contrast multiple technologies, including what’s already available in your current ecosystem, to ensure flexibility and scalability. Taking a broad view helps you avoid vendor lock-in and ensures your AI strategy remains adaptable as the technology evolves.
4. Get Your Data in Order
AI is only as good as the data that feeds it. Ensure your data is relevant, accurate, and easily accessible. Identify gaps, silos, or data quality challenges and address them before layering AI on top. Investing in strong data governance now will pay dividends later by reducing risks, improving insights, and accelerating AI deployment.
5. Do Your Homework on AI Models
From generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) to concepts like hallucinations, tokens, and model parameters, understanding the fundamentals of how AI works will help you make informed decisions. Don’t be afraid to bring in external experts to accelerate this learning curve. The more your teams understand the strengths and limitations of AI, the better equipped you’ll be to identify use cases and avoid costly mistakes.

Building the Foundations for Success
AI readiness isn’t about rushing to deploy the latest tool; it’s about preparing your organisation to take advantage of AI responsibly and effectively. By tackling these foundational steps first, you’ll be far better positioned to leverage AI where it matters most, delivering real business outcomes, safely and at scale.
Equally important is preparing your workforce and operating model for the journey. Building data and AI literacy, fostering a culture of responsible innovation, and embedding AI into existing workflows are all essential to turning technical readiness into tangible business impact. Organisations that overlook these aspects often find that even the best technology investments fall short of expectations.
Ready to Learn More?
In our upcoming webinar on October 16th, we’ll unpack exactly what it means to be AI-ready. From governance frameworks and compliance strategies to practical real-world case studies, you’ll leave with clarity and confidence to move forward.
Register now to secure your place and take the next step toward aligning your data estate with your AI ambitions.