Most business leaders understand that artificial intelligence will reshape work as we know it. Yet a new study reveals a massive gap between intention and action that could leave companies behind in the AI race.
Lenovo’s Work Reborn Report 2025 surveyed 600 IT leaders across 12 countries and found something surprising. Nearly every organization knows workplace transformation is essential, but the majority remain stuck in planning mode.
While 97% of companies recognize they must transform their digital workplaces, over 60% haven’t taken the first step. Only 39% are actively transforming their operations right now.
Gen AI tools alone won’t deliver the productivity gains everyone expects. The research shows that 89% of IT leaders understand Gen AI benefits require complete digital workplace transformation, not just new software.
“Transformation is how you empower employees to better use Gen AI and, as a result, help them realize their full potential,” the report states. Companies that skip this step will struggle to see real returns on their AI investments.
Five Major Roadblocks Keeping Companies Stuck
The study identified what’s actually stopping workplace transformation:
- Vision problems top the list. About 55% of IT leaders say their biggest obstacle is lacking a clear vision for how digital transformation supports business goals. Many organizations jump into technology discussions without defining what success looks like.
- Competing priorities create chaos. Some 44% of leaders report that other IT initiatives take precedence over workplace transformation. Security updates, system maintenance, and urgent fixes consume time and budget that could drive long-term change.
- Knowledge gaps slow progress. Another 44% admit they don’t understand how to transform their digital workplace. This isn’t surprising. Most IT teams learned to manage existing systems, not rebuild them entirely.
- Support workload overwhelms teams. Daily IT support tasks leave no time for strategic transformation work. Teams spend their days fixing problems instead of preventing them through better systems.
- Business case difficulties persist. Many leaders struggle to quantify transformation benefits in terms executives understand. Without clear ROI projections, funding requests get rejected.
The 20% Cost Savings Most Companies Miss
Organizations that push through these barriers see significant returns. Lenovo’s analysis of client transformations shows that eliminating workplace inefficiencies typically saves 15% to 20% of operational costs.
These savings come from automating routine tasks, reducing support tickets, and enabling employees to focus on higher-value work instead of wrestling with slow systems and manual processes.
But the benefits extend beyond cost reduction. Transformed workplaces enable the hyper-personalization that makes Gen AI truly powerful. When companies map employee roles to specific AI use cases and configure systems accordingly, productivity gains multiply.
Smart Strategies for Breakthrough Progress
The most successful transformations follow several key principles:
- Start with employee needs, not technology features. Companies that design transformation around how people actually work see better adoption and results. Map out different employee personas and their daily challenges before selecting tools.
- Use AI to free up transformation time. Deploy Gen AI to automate routine IT support tasks immediately. This creates breathing room for teams to work on bigger changes while delivering quick wins that build momentum.
- Measure everything with AI-powered analytics. Track productivity, engagement, and employee experience metrics to prove transformation value. Data-driven results make it easier to secure ongoing support and funding.
- Engage departments beyond IT early. Successful transformations require buy-in from HR, finance, and business units. Include these stakeholders in planning to avoid resistance later.
- Consider as-a-service models for flexibility. Converting upfront technology investments into predictable operational expenses makes budgeting easier while maintaining access to the latest tools.
The Competitive Advantage Window Is Closing
Companies that delay digital workplace transformation risk more than missed efficiency gains. They’re creating vulnerability to competitors who move faster.
The research shows that 81% of IT leaders prioritize creating productive, engaging workplaces, but less than half believe their current digital environment delivers on this promise. This gap affirms both a threat and an opportunity.
Organizations that close this gap first will attract better talent, adapt faster to market changes, and extract maximum value from Gen AI investments. Those that wait will find themselves playing catch-up in an AI-powered business world.
Knowing you need to transform isn’t enough anymore. The time for planning is over. The companies that start transforming their digital workplaces today will define tomorrow’s competitive standards.
Download report HERE for more insights.
