Lenovo report reveals slow progress in Gen AI workplace shifts

Research conducted by Lenovo has found that most organisations have yet to take significant steps to transform their digital workplaces, despite strong recognition of the importance of workforce productivity and the potential of Generative AI (Gen AI).

The global study, documented in Lenovo's latest report titled "Igniting Real Workplace Transformation," is based on a survey of 600 IT leaders across multiple countries. The findings point to a paradox within organisations: while 81% of respondents prioritise workplace productivity, less than half believe their current digital infrastructure is effective in supporting these aims.

Lenovo's survey also reveals that while more than 80% of IT leaders anticipate Gen AI will fundamentally reshape work processes, just 39% report that their organisations are actively engaged in digital workplace transformation at present.

In addition, 89% of respondents agree that fully harnessing the capabilities of Gen AI requires more than simply integrating new digital tools and applications. Rather, they suggest that it calls for a comprehensive reinvention of the workplace environment, encompassing not just technology, but also people and processes.

Rakshit Ghura, Vice President and General Manager for Digital Workplace Solutions at Lenovo, stated: "Organizations that define a clear, personalized vision for transformation — and act decisively — will be the ones who unlock Gen AI's full value."

Ghura further added, "Transformation is no longer a future ambition — it's a present necessity. Those who lead will redefine not only day-to-day work, but also what's possible for their people and businesses."

The research uncovers that 60% of businesses have yet to commence their transformation journeys, notwithstanding widespread consensus about the critical nature of this shift. The report highlights several key obstacles hindering change, with a lack of clear vision and leadership buy-in topping the list, alongside competing priorities such as cybersecurity.

Other major factors slowing progress include the sheer complexity of digital workplace transformation and the need to balance immediate operational demands with longer-term innovation goals. As IT leaders balance these pressures, decision-makers are searching for clear strategies to accelerate adoption and overcome these hurdles.

The report outlines a strategic roadmap intended to assist organisations in navigating this complexity, suggesting that digital workplace transformation can enable the deployment of hyper-personalised Gen AI tools. These tools, Lenovo argues, reduce inefficiencies by simplifying routine tasks, streamlining workflows, and allowing employees to maintain focus by eliminating friction points within daily operations.

The vision for the future workplace described in the report extends beyond adopting technological solutions; it calls for a reimagining of work itself. According to Lenovo, this includes environments wherein IT support is intuitive and largely invisible, security and scalability function seamlessly in the background, and every employee has access to collaborative and creative resources driven by Gen AI.

Through its "Work Reborn" framework, Lenovo proposes that rethinking the structure of work in this manner leads to improved employee engagement and more robust business outcomes. The report positions these insights as a resource for business leaders seeking to align organisational vision with tangible action in anticipation of evolving work trends.

Lenovo invites interested parties to explore the full findings in its "Igniting Real Workplace Transformation" report, summarising the challenges and opportunities for organisations preparing to integrate Gen AI into their working environments.