Netrio Survey Shows Mid-Market AI Adoption High but Governance Lagging

Netrio announced in a press release the results of a new survey showing that while AI adoption among mid-market enterprises is widespread, governance and readiness remain uneven. The report, based on research by Censuswide among 401 U.S. IT leaders, found that 82% of respondents have AI in production, yet only 26% said AI is scaled and governed across their organization.

The survey identified security, privacy, and compliance as the top barriers to scaling AI, followed by data readiness, integration complexity, and lack of internal expertise. Nearly three-quarters of respondents reported either a confirmed or near-miss AI-related security incident in the past year.

According to the findings, 71% of organizations expect AI to have the most positive impact on IT operations and service desk functions, followed by software development and cybersecurity. Most companies expressed confidence in achieving measurable ROI from AI within two years, with 88% planning to invest at least $100,000 and more than half planning to exceed $250,000 in spending.

The report also revealed that 42% of respondents have formal AI policies with enforced controls, and 63% have assessed whether sensitive data is being entered into AI tools. However, the data suggests many mid-market firms are still developing comprehensive governance frameworks to manage AI securely and effectively.