TLDR: A new Unisys report reveals that while a significant majority of Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) business leaders are investing in agentic AI, only a small fraction possess the foundational cloud and IT infrastructure necessary for effective implementation. This infrastructure gap extends to other emerging technologies and is compounded by reactive cybersecurity postures and persistent skills shortages, despite strong confidence in AI’s competitive advantage.
A recent research report from Unisys highlights a critical disparity in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) businesses: a strong commitment to investing in agentic AI is not matched by adequate foundational infrastructure. The study, which surveyed C-Suite and IT executives across eight global markets, found that a substantial 76% of business leaders in the ANZ region are allocating resources towards agentic AI initiatives. However, a mere 20% of these firms possess the essential cloud and IT foundations required to effectively implement this technology.
The infrastructure deficit is not limited to agentic AI. The report indicates that while 78% of organizations plan to increase their investment in generative AI (genAI), only 36% are equipped to handle large-scale AI workloads. Furthermore, only 25% of businesses have the appropriate data architecture for genAI, and a mere 23% are prepared for the implications of quantum cryptography incursions. Readiness levels for broader adoption of quantum computing and edge computing stand at 32% and 34% respectively among IT executives.
Despite these infrastructural challenges, business confidence in emerging technologies remains robust. The study reveals that 73% of executives consider agentic AI crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. Approximately three-quarters of organizations are increasing IT budgets for genAI and data management, yet only 15% report widespread use of genAI across their operations.
Cybersecurity also presents a significant hurdle. The Unisys survey found that 85% of ANZ organizations describe their cybersecurity posture as reactive, with only 14% prepared for post-quantum cryptography risks. Manju Naglapur, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cloud, Applications & Infrastructure Solutions at Unisys, emphasized the need for modernization: ‘To fully realise the potential of technologies like generative and agentic AI, organisations need to modernise their infrastructure, align IT and business priorities, and adopt a more proactive approach to cybersecurity.’
The financial repercussions of inadequate cyber defenses are severe, with over half (56%) of Asia-Pacific organizations reporting potential costs of up to USD $500,000 per hour for unplanned IT downtime. In the past year, 17% of respondents experienced a breach resulting in such significant downtime. While 62% of business executives are implementing or planning Zero Trust security models and 61% prioritize cyber recovery, less than half (43%) have deployed AI-based cybersecurity measures, indicating a gap between awareness and implementation.
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The research underscores that outdated infrastructure, skills shortages, and a misalignment between IT and business objectives are primary obstacles. These issues, previously highlighted in earlier surveys, continue to impede cloud adoption and efficient technology deployment in 2025. Despite less than half of executives being satisfied with returns on investment from cloud, automation, and genAI, investment momentum persists. The report concludes that aligning IT capabilities with business strategy and investing in up-to-date infrastructure are vital for maximizing new technology’s value and mitigating risks.
