Publish date: 30.07.25

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. It’s the focus of countless headlines, product launches, and workplace conversations. And yet, for many organisations, AI still feels more like a distant promise than a day-to-day reality.

So why is adoption slower than expected? And what can you do to help your people feel ready to embrace it? Here, we look at five key obstacles to AI adoption – and how your business can move past them to unlock its full potential.

Obstacle 1. People feel stretched – and AI can feel like one more thing to deal with

The lines between home and work have blurred. As hybrid working becomes the norm, many people are struggling to maintain balance, and an increasing workload often leaves little time or energy to take on something new.

| 64% of employees say they struggle with the time or energy to do their job¹

Use AI to free up time – not take up more of it

The key is to help your teams see AI as a personal productivity tool, not an additional task. Used well, AI can simplify both work and life admin – helping people spend less time on repetitive jobs and more time on meaningful work. From summarising meetings to planning the day ahead, AI has the power to give people space to focus on what matters most.

Obstacle 2. Concerns about job security

With all the noise around AI, it’s no surprise that some employees are wary. Will it replace them? Will it make their role redundant?

| 36% of knowledge workers in developed economies worry AI will replace their job²
| 55% believe it will open up new opportunities²

Show how AI enhances roles, rather than replaces them

Open communication is essential. Share a clear vision for how AI will support your business and your people – helping them work more strategically and creatively. By automating repetitive or manual tasks, AI frees individuals to focus on the high-value, human elements of their role – the parts that drive growth, satisfaction, and innovation.

Obstacle 3. Many don’t know where to start with AI

Even for those who are open to using AI, the practicalities can feel unclear. Without the right guidance, it’s easy for people to fall into a pattern of avoidance.

| 42% of knowledge workers don’t know when to use AI²
| 73% of leaders say their organisation needs to provide proper training²

Offer practical, role-based guidance

It’s not just about giving people permission to use AI – they need support to do so effectively. That means training, use cases, and examples tailored to different functions. Whether it’s helping creatives visualise ideas, marketers build campaign frameworks, or analysts identify trends faster, AI can play a valuable role across your workforce – but only if they know how to use it.

Obstacle 4. Devices can’t keep up with today’s AI tools

Even the best AI software is only as powerful as the hardware it runs on. Many existing devices simply don’t have the processing power to handle AI-enabled applications smoothly or securely.

Just 10% of global PC shipments in 2023 were AI-ready – expected to rise to 60% by 2027³

Future-proof your devices for an AI-ready workforce

With the arrival of Windows 11 and Microsoft Copilot, now is the ideal time to consider upgrading your device fleet. HP’s AI PCs, built with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, include dedicated CPU, GPU and NPU engines that power sustained AI use, extend battery life, and optimise collaboration tools without slowing down performance.

For businesses preparing to move on from Windows 10 ahead of the October 2025 deadline, it’s a smart opportunity to upgrade to AI-capable hardware – and provide teams with the tools they need to make AI work for them.

Obstacle 5. The security risks of AI are rising fast

AI isn’t just a tool for good – it’s also driving more sophisticated cyberattacks. As the value of endpoint data increases, so does the need for robust, AI-aware security.

| 85% of security professionals have seen a rise in cybercrime due to the weaponisation of AI⁴

Protect your devices against evolving threats

HP’s business-class PCs are designed with security built in – including hardware that protects firmware against even quantum-level threats. The Endpoint Security Controller (ESC) chip validates the integrity of BIOS and firmware, while HP Wolf Security delivers end-to-end protection from hardware to cloud.

As AI advances, so must your defences. Choosing the right devices means keeping your organisation protected without compromising on productivity.

Summary: Adopt AI with confidence

The future of work is AI-enabled – but to get there, you need the right strategy, the right devices, and the right support.
At Xeretec, we help businesses of all sizes unlock the value of AI. Whether you’re planning your Windows 11 migration, upgrading to HP AI PCs, or looking to build a more confident, capable workforce, we’re here to guide you.

Speak to the team who can help you to explore our AI-ready device portfolio and discover how we can help you get more from your technology investment.

 

1. Microsoft, “Will AI fix work? Work trend index annual report,” May 9, 2023, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/will-ai-fix-work/
2. HP, “Work Relation Index: AI in the Workplace Report,” March 2024, https://publish-pro.hp.com/content/dam/sites/worldwide/apps/work-relationship-index/reports/ ai-in-the-workplace/us-en_ai-in-the-workplace.pdf
3. Canalys, “Canalys projects 60% of PCs shipped in 2027 will be AI-capable,” September 18, 2023, https://www.canalys.com/insights/canalys-projects-60-of-pcs-
shipped-in-2027-will-be-ai-capable
4. Gallagher, “AI: Keeping Pace With the Cybercriminals,” November 2023, https://www.ajg.com/insights/ai-keeping-pace-with-the-cybercriminals/
5. Based on HP’s internal analysis of business PCs with preinstalled encryption, authentication, malware protection, BIOS-level protection, and passing MIL-STD testing, finding that no other in-class PC implements a quantum-resistant cryptographic scheme to protect the integrity of UEFI BIOS firmware as of February 2024.
6. HP Wolf Security for Business requires Windows 10 or 11 Pro and higher, includes various HP security features and is available on HP Pro, Elite, RPOS, and Workstation products. See product details for included security features.