Think of an AI roadmap as a simple answer to a basic question:
What are we going to do with AI over the next year or two, and in what order?
Without that answer, teams wind up experimenting in silos with everyone doing their own thing, with no shared priorities and no way to build real momentum.
Our 2026 State of AI for Business report, released in May, found a lot of organizations are using AI but very few are operating with a plan.
These are numbers from our survey of more than 2,100 professionals across industries and roles, whose findings make up our report. And they reflect a gap that exists in organizations of every size: Even in companies with more than $1 billion in revenue, only 40% have an AI roadmap.
When organizations have a roadmap in place, they report stronger AI progress. When they do not, they tend to describe their adoption as inconsistent or stuck. The roadmap separates intentional AI adoption from activity without direction.
The good news: a roadmap does not require a big budget or a dedicated AI team. It mostly requires focus and intention. So it’s not a resource problem.
Most organizations are investing time and money into AI without a clear map of where they are going. The ones that stop to build that map—even a simple one—are the ones who will make progress.
Check Out the Full Report
This is just one data point from a report full of them. You can read and download the complete 2026 State of AI for Business Report for more insights on organizational readiness, training gaps, governance, and more.