OpenText and Foundry Survey of IT Leaders Shows that AI Success Depends on Maturity, But Information Readiness is the Equalizer

Rhea-AI Summary

OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX) has released new research conducted by Foundry revealing a significant gap in AI adoption success rates. The study, surveying 515 senior IT leaders globally, shows that 70% of mature AI users report high satisfaction with their return on AI investment (ROAI), compared to only 42% of new adopters.

Organizations are investing an average of $5.4 million annually in generative AI tools, infrastructure, and talent. The research highlights that successful AI implementation heavily depends on information management maturity, with security and compliance risk (44%) being the top challenge. Less than half of organizations rate their governance as "very well," indicating a significant barrier to AI scaling.

Positive

• 70% of mature AI users report high satisfaction with ROAI
• Organizations investing significant amount ($5.4M annually) in AI development
• Multi-agent AI viewed as 'game-changing' among mature users

Negative

• Only 42% of new AI adopters satisfied with ROAI
• Less than half of organizations rate their governance as working 'very well'
• Security and compliance risk remains top challenge at 44%

Nearly 70% of mature AI users satisfied with ROAI; new adopters lag behind

WATERLOO, ON, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenText™ (NASDAQ: OTEX) (TSX: OTEX), a global leader in secure information management for AI, today released new global research from Foundry, "AI Is Redefining the Role of the Knowledge Worker," revealing a sharp divide between new and mature AI adopters when realizing return on AI investment (ROAI). While enterprises are investing heavily in AI, many only achieve meaningful results when information management programs are mature enough to support AI initiatives.

The survey of 515 CIOs and other senior enterprise IT leaders shows that while nearly 70% of mature AI users are highly satisfied with their ROAI, only 42% of newer adopters felt the same. Satisfaction in ROAI is also closely tied to whether leaders trust their AI tools to handle information securely. This disconnect often leaves organizations struggling to balance AI ambition and risk.

A financial services CIO respondent described this challenge by stating, "Our business wants more AI and our security and IT are panicking because nobody knows how to secure it and run it in a well-governed way." A VP in healthcare echoed the same sentiment, noting that "AI success depends on better metadata management, stronger governance, and classification."

Maturity Drives ROAI

The research shows that the benefits of AI compound with experience. Organizations that have advanced further on AI invest more, measure success in more meaningful ways, and see stronger returns as a result.

• Mature users measure ROAI by problem-solving impact and risk reduction, while newer adopters focus more narrowly on efficiency gains.
• Enterprises allocate an average of $5.4 million annually toward generative AI tools, infrastructure, and talent, which also points to greater investment supporting satisfaction with results.
• Multi-agent AI is viewed as "game-changing" among mature users and seen as critical for tackling complex issues.

"AI's value does not appear overnight. Real returns come when enterprises move beyond surface-level automation to solve real problems. That takes secure, well-governed information. Without that foundation, ROAI is almost impossible to achieve," said Savinay Berry, Chief Product Officer and Chief Technology Officer at OpenText. "We give organizations that foundation by simplifying information complexity, strengthening governance, and ensuring information is ready for AI."

Information Readiness Is Essential

Despite different levels of maturity, nearly all enterprises agree that information readiness is essential to unlocking AI's full value.

• Security and compliance risk (44%) remains the top information management challenge.
• Less than half of organizations rate their governance as working "very well," highlighting a major barrier to scaling AI.
• When choosing partners, both new and mature adopters rank deep expertise in secure information management at the top (50% and 49%, respectively).

Additional Resources

• Read the full report on ROAI, adoption, investments, and challenges.
• Read more about the findings on our blog.

Survey Methodology

The survey, conducted by Foundry in June 2025, captured quantitative and verbatim insights from 515 senior IT leaders across North America (59%), APAC (20%), and Europe (21%). Respondents represented organizations with an average annual revenue of $5.4 billion across industries including financial services, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and retail.

About OpenText

OpenText™ is a leading Cloud and AI company that provides organizations around the world with a comprehensive suite of Business AI, Business Clouds, and Business Technology. We help organizations grow, innovate, become more efficient and effective, and do so in a trusted and secure way – through Information Management. For more information about OpenText (NASDAQ/TSX: OTEX), please visit us at www.opentext.com.

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Certain statements in this press release may contain words considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities laws. These statements are based on OpenText's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which the company operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and the actual outcome may be materially different. OpenText's assumptions, although considered reasonable by the company at the date of this press release, may prove to be inaccurate and consequently its actual results could differ materially from the expectations set out herein. For additional information with respect to risks and other factors which could occur, see OpenText's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC and other securities regulators. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, OpenText disclaims any intention or obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Further, readers should note that we may announce information using our website, press releases, securities law filings, public conference calls, webcasts and the social media channels identified on the Investors section of our website (https://investors.opentext.com). Such social media channels may include the Company's or our CEO's blog, Twitter account or LinkedIn account. The information posted through such channels may be material. Accordingly, readers should monitor such channels in addition to our other forms of communication.

Copyright © 2025 OpenText. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks owned by OpenText. One or more patents may cover this product(s). For more information, please visit https://www.opentext.com/patents.

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SOURCE Open Text Corporation

FAQ

What is the average annual investment in AI tools and infrastructure according to OpenText's study?

According to the study, enterprises allocate an average of $5.4 million annually toward generative AI tools, infrastructure, and talent.

What percentage of mature AI users are satisfied with their ROAI according to OpenText's research?

The research shows that nearly 70% of mature AI users are highly satisfied with their return on AI investment (ROAI).

What is the main challenge in AI implementation according to the OpenText study?

Security and compliance risk (44%) remains the top information management challenge for organizations implementing AI.

How many IT leaders were surveyed in the OpenText and Foundry research?

The survey captured insights from 515 senior IT leaders across North America (59%), APAC (20%), and Europe (21%).

What do organizations consider most important when choosing AI partners according to the study?

Both new and mature adopters rank deep expertise in secure information management as the top priority (50% and 49% respectively) when choosing partners.