Artificial Intelligence is no longer a buzzword — it’s a competitive advantage. But before AI can generate insights, your company’s systems and data need to be prepared. Too often, leaders invest in AI projects only to discover that their infrastructure holds them back.
You don’t need to be a technical expert to ensure readiness. What you do need is the right set of questions for your IT leadership team. Below is a simple, non-technical checklist to help you assess whether your company’s foundation is ready for AI.
Executive AI Readiness Checklist
1. Data in the Cloud
- Ask: “Are all our critical business data securely stored in the cloud?”
- Why it matters: AI thrives on scale. Cloud platforms make it easier to store, process, and connect large volumes of data.
- Watch out for: Systems still tied to local servers or spreadsheets that cannot scale or be integrated.
2. Data Accessible via Modern APIs
- Ask: “Can our systems talk to each other through modern APIs?”
- Why it matters: AI depends on pulling data from multiple sources — sales, inventory, customer behavior — in real time. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the bridges that connect these systems.
- Watch out for: Legacy systems that require manual exports or custom one-off integrations.
3. Data Security and Governance
- Ask: “Do we have strong security and clear data ownership rules in place?”
- Why it matters: AI initiatives involve sensitive business and customer data. Without proper security and governance, you risk breaches, compliance issues, and reputational damage.
- Watch out for: Weak access controls, unclear data ownership, or lack of audit trails.
The Bottom Line for Leaders
AI success is not just about algorithms — it’s about foundations. If your data isn’t cloud-based, API-accessible, and secure, you’ll face costly delays and underwhelming results.
As an executive, your role is to set direction, not configure servers. Use the checklist above to start conversations with your IT team. The answers you hear will tell you whether your company is ready to unlock AI’s full potential — or whether you still have groundwork to lay.