- You’re more likely to get an ROI from AI after modernizing your apps, Cloudflare report finds
- Security should also be built into your strategy for a more comprehensive approach
- Most managers think their infrastructure is sufficient – don’t be one of them
Cloudflare has warned that legacy systems block AI advances and increase cybersecurity risks, creating a so-called “technical glass ceiling” — but that’s OK, because an effective modernization strategy can open a way forward.
The company’s latest report claims that companies that have modernized their applications are three times more likely to achieve a clear ROI from AI tools compared to those constrained by outdated infrastructure.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 single most important factor in improving AI capabilities.
AI is held back by legacy apps and infrastructure
Cloudflare also highlighted the importance of factoring security into their modernization strategies, noting that those who do are four times more likely to reach advanced AI maturity. Security was defined as a “growth multiplier” rather than just a protection tool.
Despite an 85% reduction in infrastructure confidence among those who have delayed modernization, they still do not see it as an incentive to upgrade, with many remaining with a reactive approach of only upgrading after suffering a security breach.
The report also covers some other ‘costs’ associated with running old technology, including higher maintenance costs, slower innovation, lack of developer talent and increased exposure to cyber-attacks.
Looking ahead, four out of five executives plan to double down on AI integration within their current application portfolios over the next year, but they may not have the success they hope for, with 95% (potentially wrong) believing their infrastructure is sufficient for AI development.
Some of the most popular applications for AI include improving internal workflows (79%), running content-driven applications (73%) and supporting revenue-generating initiatives (66%).
In short, building security into modernization from the start, and not treating modernization as a reactive, last-resort strategy, is key to getting the most out of AI.
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