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Navigating The Tech Readiness Paradox: Insights From The 2024 Kyndryl Readiness Report

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 24, 2025

Business leaders globally are navigating a paradox. While confident in their current IT systems, many question their readiness for future risks and transformative technologies. The 2024 Kyndryl Readiness Report, informed by insights from 3,200 leaders and exclusive data from Kyndryl Bridge, highlights this tension.

A Confidence Gap In Risk Preparedness

The report reveals that while 90% of leaders view their IT infrastructure as best-in-class, only 39% feel adequately equipped to handle emerging risks. Cybersecurity remains the top concern, followed by policy shifts and environmental disruptions. Just 29% of leaders feel ready to face multiple external risks simultaneously.

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Outdated Systems And Tech Paradoxes

Despite optimism around current systems, 44% of servers, networks, and operating systems are nearing or at the end of their lifecycle. This aging infrastructure poses a significant challenge, with 61% of leaders concerned about the ability of their IT systems to support future needs.

Modernization: A Priority With Barriers

Tech modernization is a universal priority, with 94% of executives ranking it as critical. However, progress is uneven. Over half (56%) are mid-transition, while 16% are just starting out. The journey is hindered by complexity, competing priorities, and the challenge of balancing immediate needs with long-term goals.

The AI Conundrum

Artificial intelligence investments are widespread, with businesses embracing both traditional and generative AI. Yet only 42% report a positive return on these investments. Furthermore, while 86% consider their AI implementation top-tier, 71% doubt their IT’s readiness to fully integrate AI solutions.

The Rewards Of Modernisation

Businesses that succeed in modernizing their tech report significant benefits:

85% saw increased operational efficiency.
71% achieved improved innovation.
60% noted enhanced employee or customer experiences.

Conclusion

The 2024 Kyndryl Readiness Report paints a complex picture: while confidence in current IT systems is high, the readiness to confront future risks and seize technological opportunities is lagging. This gap highlights the urgent need for businesses to accelerate their tech modernization efforts, simplify processes, and bridge the disconnect between innovation and operational priorities. Leaders who successfully navigate these challenges will not only future-proof their organizations but also unlock significant competitive advantages, from greater efficiency and innovation to improved customer and employee experiences.

The message is clear—modernization is no longer optional; it’s the cornerstone of sustainable growth and resilience in an unpredictable world.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.