- You’re more likely to see ROI from AI after modernizing your apps, according to a Cloudflare report
- Security should also be integrated into your strategy for a more comprehensive approach.
- Most leaders believe their infrastructure is sufficient; don’t be one of them
Cloudflare has warned that legacy systems are blocking AI progress and increasing cybersecurity risks, creating the so-called “technical glass ceiling,” but that’s okay, because an effective modernization strategy could open a path forward.
The company’s latest report states that companies that have modernized their applications are three times more likely to achieve a clear return on investment with AI tools compared to those that are limited by outdated infrastructure.
To this point, nearly all (93%) of the more than 2,300 IT, security, product, and engineering leaders surveyed agreed that updating software is the most important factor in improving AI capabilities.
AI is held back by legacy applications and infrastructure
Cloudflare also highlighted the importance of considering security in their modernization strategies, noting that those that do so are four times more likely to achieve advanced AI maturity. Security was defined as a “growth multiplier” and not simply a protection tool.
Despite an 85% reduction in trust in infrastructure among those who have delayed modernization, they still do not see it as an incentive to upgrade, and many stuck with a reactive approach and only upgraded after suffering a security breach.
The report also covers some other “costs” associated with running older technology, including higher maintenance costs, slower innovation, a shortage of developer talent, and greater exposure to cyberattacks.
Looking ahead, four in five leaders plan to double down on AI integration within their current application portfolios over the next year, but they may not see the success they expect, and 95% (potentially wrongly) believe their infrastructure is sufficient for AI development.
Some of the most popular applications designed for AI include improving internal workflows (79%), driving content-based applications (73%), and supporting revenue-generating initiatives (66%).
In short, building security into modernization from the beginning and not treating modernization as a reactive, last-resort strategy is key to getting the most out of AI.
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