Enterprises wasted $104M on underused tech in 2024 while 75% of workers struggle to harness AI efficiencies, new WalkMe research finds
MWN-AI** Summary
A recent report by WalkMe reveals a critical disconnect in AI adoption within enterprises, indicating that companies squandered over $104 million in 2024 on underutilized technology and inefficient practices. Despite 79% of executives feeling optimistic about their AI transformation goals, only 28% of employees feel adequately trained, with just 25% capable of effectively leveraging AI for increased productivity. This significant gap underscores the challenges organizations face as they ramp up their AI investments—which are projected to increase 64% in 2025.
The findings stem from a survey of 3,700 executives and employees, as well as insights from 1.5 million users across 2,400 enterprise applications. The report underscores the necessity of strategic digital adoption, recommending that even a single implementation of best practices can boost ROI from 22% to 64%. The data shows a stark discrepancy in application usage; executives estimate an average of 37 apps in use, while WalkMe's data reveals the actual number is 625—an astonishing 17-fold difference, complicating effective software management and transformations.
Experts, including Andrea Lippin from Accenture, emphasize the urgency for organizations to re-evaluate their IT strategies to optimize AI outcomes. The report suggests that addressing these issues—particularly fostering employee adoption and integration of AI technologies—could lead to greater efficiencies and innovation across industries. The overall takeaway is clear: successful AI implementation hinges not just on technology, but on empowering employees to utilize it effectively, making digital adoption platforms like WalkMe integral to unlocking the full potential of AI investments.
MWN-AI** Analysis
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, enterprises face significant challenges in harnessing the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI). WalkMe's recent report reveals staggering inefficiencies, with organizations squandering over $104 million in 2024 on underutilized tech. This highlights a critical disconnect: while 79% of executives are optimistic about achieving AI transformation goals, only 25% of employees feel equipped to leverage these tools effectively.
As AI spending is projected to surge by 64% in 2025, from $14 million to $23 million, organizations cannot afford to neglect digital adoption strategies. The impressive statistic that even one digital adoption best practice can elevate ROI from 22% to 64% underscores the importance of bridging the AI adoption gap. Digital adoption platforms (DAPs) like WalkMe play an indispensable role in this transition, providing tailored solutions that empower employees to navigate new technologies seamlessly.
Additionally, the report unveils a profound visibility gap in software utilization—executives believe an average of 37 applications are in use, while actual usage is closer to 625. This discrepancy underscores the need for improved tracking and management of digital resources to optimize investments. Companies should consider establishing dedicated digital adoption teams, a strategy already implemented by 73% of large organizations, recognizing that nurturing a digitally adept workforce is paramount.
To optimize ROI in AI initiatives, business leaders must prioritize employee training and support, reinforce digital fluency, and leverage DAPs to minimize technological friction. As we move into 2025, a proactive approach to digital adoption will not only enhance workforce productivity but also ensure that AI investments translate into tangible business impact. The future of enterprise innovation hinges on the seamless integration of technology and human capability—businesses that champion this integration will emerge as industry leaders.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WalkMe , the leader of the Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) category for effectively navigating technology change, today released its annual report, The State of Digital Adoption 2025, Special AI Edition. This year’s report focuses on AI adoption in the enterprise and highlights an alarming disconnect – while 79% of executives express confidence in meeting their AI transformation goals, only 28% of employees feel adequately trained and only 25% report being able to use AI to work more efficiently.
The report uncovers the staggering cost of digital inefficiencies, with enterprises losing over $104 million in 2024 alone due to underutilized technology and poor productivity practices. With AI spending expected to increase 64% in 2025 from $14M to $23M at large enterprises, companies must take proactive steps to ensure maximum ROI. According to the report, enterprises that implement even a single digital adoption best practice can nearly triple their digital transformation ROI from 22% to 64%. This gap reveals that without effective digital adoption, AI investments often fail.
These insights are drawn from a survey of 3,700 senior executives and employees, as well as proprietary data from a subset of WalkMe’s user base, 1.5 million users across 2,400 enterprise applications. The full report provides actionable strategies for business leaders to close the AI adoption gap, optimize IT investments, and enhance workforce productivity in 2025 and beyond.
"As we release the fourth annual State of Digital Adoption report, it’s clear that while AI is transforming enterprise ambitions, its success hinges on people," said Dan Adika, Co-Founder & CEO of WalkMe. "Over a decade of innovation in digital adoption has shown us one truth: technology alone doesn’t deliver results – people do. This year’s findings outline actionable steps leaders can take to close the readiness gap and turn their AI investments into impact."
The report also revealed an alarming visibility gap in how employees are using software in their roles. Executives believe an average of 37 applications are in use at their organizations, but WalkMe’s data shows the average number is actually 625, a 17x discrepancy. This gap is hindering organizations' ability to manage their software investments and properly support digital transformation.
“WalkMe’s research highlights a clear need for organizations to bridge the AI adoption gap, and digital adoption platforms play a vital role in enabling organizations to maximize their AI transformation efforts,” said Andrea Lippin, Managing Director, Talent & Organization at Accenture. “The report showed that AI has sparked 93% of enterprises to reevaluate key parts of their digital organization, including IT infrastructure, software applications, and talent to unlock the benefits of AI. We are entering a new chapter of business innovation that will have lasting implications across industries. And that is why we recommend a WalkMe first approach—ensuring that AI adoption is not only strategic but also seamless, intuitive, and scalable.”
"The success of AI in the enterprise is all about execution and, as this research shows, much of that is in the hands of employees,” said Alexa Cordell, Sr. Learning Technology Manager, EDF Renewables. “It’s about ensuring employees can seamlessly adopt and integrate it into their workflows to drive both individual and organizational success.”
Additional highlights from the research include:
- Employees still deal with technology frustrations, wasting an average of 36 working days a year.
- Average digital adoption investment rose from $2.8 million in 2023 to $5.1 million in 2025 .
- Digital adoption teams have grown: 73% of large organizations have six or more people responsible for driving software adoption, compared to 63% in 2024.
- Digital adoption teams have grown: 73% of large organizations have six or more people responsible for driving software adoption, compared to 63% in 2024.
Download The State of Digital Adoption 2025 complete report here .
Register now to join WalkMe and speakers from Accenture, State Farm, and EDF Renewables for an interactive webinar, Bridging the AI Divide: Insights from the State of Digital Adoption 2025 February 25th at 11:00 AM ET.
About WalkMe:
WalkMe, an SAP company, pioneered the world’s leading Digital Adoption Platform, enabling organizations to navigate the change brought on by technology. Leveraging over a decade of experience, WalkMe’s platform integrates generative AI to deliver proactive, accessible, and actionable insights. Our context-aware solutions guide users through any workflow, identifying and resolving digital friction to ensure seamless execution of critical processes across all departments. Trusted by global leaders like IBM, Nestlé, ThermoFisher Scientific, and the U.S. Department of Defense, WalkMe empowers organizations to maximize software ROI and drive people-centric digital transformation. Visit www.walkme.com.
Media Contact:
Melanie Pasch
press@walkme.com
FAQ**
How does WalkMe Ltd. WKME plan to address the alarming disconnect between executive confidence in AI and employee readiness, as outlined in The State of Digital Adoption 2025 report?
With AI spending projected to rise significantly, what specific digital adoption best practices can WalkMe Ltd. WKME recommend to maximize ROI and close the AI adoption gap?
Given the drastic discrepancy in perceived vs. actual software applications used within organizations, how can WalkMe Ltd. WKME's DAP help enterprises gain better visibility and manage their technology investments effectively?
What strategies did WalkMe Ltd. WKME identify in their report to ensure employees can seamlessly integrate AI into their workflows and improve overall digital adoption in 2025?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about WalkMe Ltd. (NASDAQ: WKME).
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