Tiffany St James is one of the UK’s most experienced digital transformation specialists, the founder of Transmute and former Head of Public Participation for the UK Government. She is also NDA’s monthly columnist.
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping entire industries, organisations need a clear understanding of where they are and where they want to be on their AI maturity, as well as how to get there.
With technology evolving at a breakneck speed, understanding your AI maturity isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. Not only does it enable businesses to keep pace with digital transformations, but it also facilitates more informed decision-making about where resources should be invested.
One simple way you can help navigate this is to devise or use an AI maturity map. A roadmap or framework to depict where you are now against key business criteria and a few levels of AI maturity.
Whilst there is little in the way of standardised mapping on this, it is also important to ensure your AI journey map reflects your business and industry.
This approach to mapping not only helps you define your starting point and aspirations, but also facilitates strategic conversations about the steps needed to boost AI maturity across your organisation. Here’s how to leverage an AI maturity map to evaluate, set goals, and plan your AI journey.
Understanding AI Maturity Mapping
An AI maturity map is a useful tool that helps organisations assess and structure their AI development efforts.
Most have 3 to 5 levels of maturity and a list of attributes that are important to your business as well as defining key dimensions to measure. There are no set rules, however common dimensions that resurface across many industries are leadership, governance, strategy, people, process, technology and data.
There are then defining criteria statements for each dimension at each maturity level.
By analysing aspects such as data infrastructure, team capability, and AI adoption, the map provides a snapshot of an organisation’s current AI capabilities and highlights potential steps to improve.
Identifying Your Current State: Assessing AI Maturity Levels
To make the most of an AI maturity map, businesses must start with an honest evaluation of their current state. Maturity levels often range from “exploring” to “optimising” and beyond. At early levels, companies might have minimal AI knowledge and limited integration, while at more advanced stages, AI is embedded deeply within operations, driving decisions and enabling predictive capabilities.
Organisations new to AI might find themselves in an “exploring” or “experimenting” phase, marked by foundational knowledge and initial pilot projects. Higher along the matrix companies in the “integrating” or “optimising” stages are actively embedding AI in processes and making strategic, data-informed decisions. By assessing factors like team skills, data infrastructure, and existing AI tools, you can gain a realistic view of where your business currently stands.
Defining the Target State: Setting AI Goals
Knowing where you are is only half the journey. Defining where you want to be is crucial for directing your AI development efforts effectively. A clear target state allows for focused progress, with achievable goals that make the journey to maturity manageable and motivating.
For instance, a company that currently uses AI to automate simple tasks might aim to develop capabilities in predictive analytics, allowing data-driven forecasting across departments. On the other hand, a business with established AI processes might seek to adopt machine learning to enhance personalisation in customer experiences. Setting specific goals that align with your broader business strategy not only makes the AI journey meaningful but also keeps it relevant to your unique objectives.
Planning the Path: Identifying Key Interventions for Progression
Once the current and target states are defined, the focus shifts to actionable interventions. These interventions vary depending on where your business is on the AI maturity spectrum, but common areas include:
- Skill Development – Upskilling teams in AI and data literacy is vital for any business aiming to climb the maturity ladder. This may involve in-house training, external courses, or hiring specialist talent to fill knowledge gaps.
- Technology Investment – Moving up in AI maturity often requires adopting advanced tools and platforms. Businesses at early stages might start with basic automation tools, while more mature organisations may need more sophisticated AI frameworks or machine learning platforms.
- Data Strategy – High-quality data is the backbone of AI. Implementing data governance and ensuring robust data collection and management processes are critical for AI readiness.
- Governance – As AI capabilities expand, so does the need for responsible and ethical AI governance. Defining policies for data privacy, bias mitigation, and risk management is essential for sustainable AI maturity.
By investing in these interventions, organisations can systematically progress from their current state towards their target level of AI maturity.
Engaging Teams and Stakeholders in the Journey
The road to AI maturity is not a solo endeavour; it requires buy-in and collaboration from teams across the organisation. An AI transformation is most successful when all departments—finance, operations, marketing, and beyond—are engaged and aligned with the AI vision.
Creating an AI-ready culture is about fostering curiosity and a willingness to experiment. When employees feel empowered to explore AI and understand its benefits, they are more likely to embrace it. Clear communication on AI goals, regular updates on progress, and opportunities for cross-functional learning are invaluable for building this collaborative culture.
Understanding where your business stands on an AI maturity map is a crucial first step toward building an AI-ready organisation. By defining your current state, setting aspirational but achievable goals, and planning targeted interventions, your business can make steady progress towards a more AI-enabled future.
AI maturity mapping not only provides clarity but also empowers your organisation to make strategic decisions that drive sustainable growth in the digital age.
