Dell report finds legacy infrastructure and regulations stalling AI adoption in EMEA
A new Dell survey reveals that two-thirds of IT leaders lack infrastructure readiness for AI, with UK firms lagging further due to unclear strategic roadmaps.
Key points
- % of IT leaders say their infrastructure is not ready for scalable AI and analytics workloads.
- % of UK businesses lack a clear roadmap for AI, data, and security, compared to 46% across EMEA.
- % of respondents report that outdated end-user devices are hindering their productivity and AI efforts.
According to a new report by Dell, legacy infrastructure and complex regulatory environments are significantly slowing artificial intelligence deployment across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The survey highlights a substantial gap between organizational ambitions for AI adoption and the technical reality of current IT foundations.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of IT leaders state their infrastructure is not fully prepared to support AI and analytics workloads at scale. This lack of readiness suggests that foundational technology upgrades are required before enterprises can effectively leverage advanced computing capabilities for broader business operations.
Regulatory and Infrastructure Challenges
Data foundations and IT infrastructure remain primary obstacles to widespread AI implementation, the report claims. Coordinating compliance and regulatory factors across entire technology stacks is creating difficulties for enterprises attempting to establish solid operational bases for new tools.
More than half (55%) of respondents indicate that security and compliance concerns have already slowed or delayed their AI strategies. Additionally, 64% of leaders express worry about regulation compliance when using their data for AI purposes, highlighting the friction between innovation and governance.
Regional Disparities and Device Gaps
UK businesses are struggling more than their EMEA counterparts regarding AI preparedness, according to Dell's findings. Three in five (61%) British firms lack a clear roadmap covering AI, data, and security, compared with 46% across the wider EMEA region.
End-user devices also represent a critical bottleneck in the broader infrastructure considerations. While 92% of respondents agree that modern devices help with productivity, four in five (79%) are being held back by outdated hardware. This disconnect limits the practical application of AI tools at the employee level.
What should you do?
IT leaders should audit current infrastructure to identify gaps preventing scalable AI and analytics workloads. Organizations must also review their AI, data, and security roadmaps to ensure clarity and alignment with business goals.
What to do and how to stay safe: Dell
- Assess current IT infrastructure to determine readiness for scalable AI and analytics workloads.
- Review and update organizational roadmaps to clearly address AI, data, and security integration.
- Evaluate end-user device fleets to identify outdated hardware that may hinder productivity and AI adoption.
- Analyze regulatory compliance requirements to ensure data usage for AI aligns with current security standards.
Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of IT leaders say their infrastructure is not ready for AI?
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of IT leaders say their infrastructure is not yet fully prepared to support AI and analytics workloads at scale.
How do UK firms compare to the rest of EMEA in AI readiness?
UK businesses are struggling more, with 61% lacking a clear AI, data, and security roadmap, compared to 46% across EMEA.
Are outdated devices affecting AI deployment?
Yes, four in five (79%) respondents are being held back by outdated devices, despite 92% agreeing modern devices help productivity.
