AI Adoption Hindered by Lack of Process Infrastructure

The Celonis 2026 Process Optimization Report reveals that 85% of enterprises aspire to implement agentic AI within three years, yet 76% acknowledge their operational frameworks are unprepared. This disconnect suggests many organizations are aggressively pursuing AI enhancements without having established the necessary foundational processes, such as improving workflows and enhancing operational efficiency. With a majority of decision-makers predicting AI implementations will struggle to deliver ROI without comprehensive understanding of business metrics, the urgency for modernization becomes clear.

As companies become more ambitious in their AI initiatives, the report indicates that only 19% currently utilize multi-agent systems, highlighting substantial operational readiness gaps. Leaders are recognizing that inadequate and siloed processes are impeding AI integrations, transforming process optimization from a secondary IT task into a strategic necessity. The report emphasizes that organizations with modernized data and operational systems are better positioned to leverage AI capabilities effectively, necessitating a shift from merely technical solutions to substantial change management within operational models.