OpenText Corp (NASDAQ: OTEX) has released a compelling new report in collaboration with Foundry titled *"AI Is Redefining the Role of the Knowledge Worker."* This research highlights significant insights into how organizations are navigating their AI investments, revealing a stark contrast between firms that have embraced AI maturity and those that are just beginning their journey. The findings underscore that while many enterprises are investing heavily in AI, the returns on these investments are closely tied to the maturity of their information management programs.

2. The Satisfaction Gap in AI Returns

The survey, which included responses from 515 CIOs and senior IT leaders, indicates that nearly 70% of mature AI users report high satisfaction with their return on AI investment (ROAI). In contrast, only 42% of newer adopters express similar satisfaction. This disparity raises crucial questions about how organizations balance their ambitions for AI with the associated risks, particularly in terms of information security.

A financial services CIO articulated the challenge faced by organizations, stating, "Our business wants more AI and our security and IT are panicking because nobody knows how to secure it and run it in a well-governed way." Similarly, a VP from the healthcare sector echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for improved metadata management and governance to ensure AI success.

3. Maturity Drives ROAI

The findings clearly demonstrate that maturity in AI adoption correlates strongly with the effectiveness and satisfaction of investments. Key takeaways include:

Mature AI users tend to measure ROAI in broader terms, focusing on problem-solving impact and risk reduction, whereas newer adopters are more narrowly focused on efficiency gains.

On average, enterprises allocate approximately $5.4 million annually towards generative AI tools, infrastructure, and talent. This investment correlates with greater satisfaction in the outcomes achieved from these technologies.

Mature adopters view multi-agent AI as a "game-changer," considering it critical for addressing complex challenges within their organizations.

Savinay Berry, Chief Product Officer and Chief Technology Officer at OpenText, noted, "AI's value does not appear overnight. Real returns come when enterprises move beyond surface-level automation to solve real problems. That takes secure, well-governed information. Without that foundation, ROAI is almost impossible to achieve." This statement underscores the importance of robust information management systems in driving successful AI adoption.

4. The Role of Information Readiness

The survey results indicate a universal agreement among enterprises on the necessity of information readiness for unlocking the true potential of AI technologies. Notable points include:

Security and compliance risks remain the top information management challenge, as cited by 44% of respondents.

Less than 50% of organizations rated their governance as functioning "very well," highlighting a significant barrier to scaling AI initiatives effectively.

When selecting partners for AI implementation, both new and mature adopters prioritize deep expertise in secure information management, with 50% and 49% ranking it as their top criterion, respectively.

5. Survey Methodology and Demographics

The survey, conducted by Foundry in June 2025, gathered quantitative and qualitative insights from 515 senior IT leaders across various regions, including North America (59%), APAC (20%), and Europe (21%). The organizations represented had an average annual revenue of $5.4 billion, spanning industries such as financial services, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and retail.

6. Conclusion: A Call to Action for Organizations

The findings from OpenText’s latest report serve as a crucial reminder that the path to successful AI adoption is paved with the right governance and information management strategies. As organizations continue to invest in AI technologies, they must prioritize their information readiness to ensure that their ambitions do not outpace their capabilities. This research not only sheds light on the current landscape of AI adoption but also offers insight into the future trajectory for enterprises aiming to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence.

Original press release