Indices to assess AI maturity BOX 3 Indices available globally Currently, there are many indices that an MSME can use to assess its AI-readiness: –The Cisco AI Readiness Assessment32 is a tool that evaluates an organization’s readiness to adopt, deploy and use AI across six pillars: strategy, infrastructure, data, governance, talent and culture. It categorizes companies into four levels of preparedness: pacesetters, chasers, followers and laggards. –The Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI),33 developed by the International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT), is a globally recognized framework designed to help organizations assess and enhance their readiness for transformation relating to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. SIRI evaluates dimensions such as process, technology and organization, providing a structured approach to gauge digital maturity and identify areas for improvement. –The TDWI AI Readiness Assessment,34 developed by the Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI), helps organizations understand their AI-readiness across five dimensions, while offering recommendations for improvement. –The Avanade AI Readiness Assessment Tool35 assists organizations in identifying actions to enhance their AI maturity. It evaluates readiness across various stages and offers practical steps to accelerate AI adoption. –The AIIM AI Readiness Assessment,36 offered by the Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM), focuses on preparing unstructured data for AI implementation. It provides insights into organizational readiness for AI, with an emphasis on data management practices. –The Advaiya AI Readiness Assessment,37 available through Microsoft AppSource, evaluates an organization’s infrastructure, data, capabilities, processes and culture to provide a comprehensive view of AI-readiness. Choosing an index An SME should carefully consider its unique needs, industry and organizational goals when deciding which index to use for assessing AI-readiness. The selection process should take several factors into account: –First, the SME must evaluate its current stage of digital transformation. For companies at the beginning of their journey, indices such as INCIT’s SIRI can provide a holistic framework to assess foundational readiness across process, technology and organizational dimensions. This is particularly valuable for SMEs looking for an overall roadmap for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. –Second, SMEs should consider the specific dimensions of AI-readiness they want to evaluate. For example, the Cisco AI Readiness Assessment is useful for organizations focusing on strategic alignment, data infrastructure and talent development, while the AIIM AI Readiness Assessment is tailored to companies needing guidance on managing unstructured data for AI deployment. –Finally, the industry and operational focus of the SME matters. Manufacturing firms might benefit more from SIRI or the Advaiya AI Readiness Assessment, as these tools are designed with industrial applications in mind. Transforming Small Businesses: An AI Playbook for India’s SMEs 42

Transforming Small Businesses 2025