A global survey of 600 IT leaders highlights this concern, revealing that while the potential of Gen AI to transform work is widely recognized, the digital infrastructure in most organizations simply isn’t ready. This isn’t about minor tweaks; it’s about a fundamental need to rebuild.
Even though 79% of IT leaders believe Gen AI has the potential to elevate the quality of work, fewer than half think their current digital workplace tools effectively support productivity, engagement, and innovation. 89% agree that only a foundational overhaul of digital infrastructure will enable Gen AI to truly deliver on its promise.
This insight from Lenovo’s Work Reborn Research Series 2025, identifies both the opportunities and the critical challenges presented by Gen AI and highlights an urgent need for IT transformation. In order to realize Gen AI’s true value, organizations must rethink their operational frameworks, starting with their technology infrastructure.
The Urgent Need for IT Transformation
The need for IT transformation becomes clear when we consider the many opportunities Gen AI affords. This isn’t just another software upgrade; it’s a catalyst to redefine how teams collaborate, ignite creativity, and boost their productivity.
Imagine breaking down global communication barriers with instant translations, freeing skilled employees from repetitive work to focus on groundbreaking ideas and streamlining complex processes with intelligent automation.
It’s no surprise that nearly half (49%) of IT leaders see improving the employee experience as a top priority. In fact, according to the 2025 CIO Playbook: It’s Time for AI-nomic’s, enhancing productivity is the leading business goal for organizations in 2025.
However, the report also highlights significant hurdles faced by IT teams, particularly in delivering personalized experiences and automating IT support.
While the majority of IT leaders (63%) understand the importance of a tailored digital workplace, the lack of adaptable tools leaves many organizations struggling to unlock productivity with a one-size-fits-all approach. And despite 61% recognizing the value of Gen AI-driven IT support, the actual implementation remains a challenge.
The answer isn’t a simple patch; it requires a complete architectural shift. Gen AI needs to be embedded at the very core of a workplace IT strategy.
When integrated seamlessly, AI can intuitively understand individual employee needs, automatically configuring their tools and workflows. Picture AI-powered IT support that anticipates and resolves issues before they even impact productivity.
To realize these gains, proactive change is needed. While Gen AI offers the potential to free up teams to focus on strategic innovation, it also gives organizations a chance to set themselves apart from the rest. In fact, 76% of IT leaders say that businesses not empowering employees with AI will lag in the next one to two years.
Three Steps to an AI-Ready Workplace
I believe IT leaders are at a pivotal moment, but they must move beyond incremental gains and strategically weave Gen AI into the heart of their organizations. This demands a strong partnership with executive peers, a shared vision, and the courage to lead significant change.
“Reinventing Workplace Productivity” outlines three critical steps on this journey:
1. Simplify and Personalize the Employee Experience: Tailor digital tools, workflows, and applications to individual roles and working styles, enabling employees to leverage Gen AI for maximum productivity and innovation.
2. Automate IT Processes with AI: Utilize Gen AI to manage workplace devices and IT support, freeing up resources for higher-value tasks and ensuring seamless operations.
3. Transform Workflows for Value Creation: Re-engineer existing workflows and processes to fully realize the capabilities of Gen AI and drive innovation.
By prioritizing personalization, intelligent automation, and reimagined workflows, companies can build a workplace that truly unlocks the potential of Gen AI. The Work Reborn Research Series 2025 is just getting started. Building a Gen AI-driven future requires strong leadership and a willingness to rebuild. Are you ready to take the necessary steps?
