The 10-Level AI Maturity Framework

AI Unaware (Pre-Digital)

Status: No AI usage, limited digital tools

Characteristics:

• Manual processes dominate operations
• Spreadsheets and email are primary tools
• No awareness of AI possibilities
• High resistance to change

Recommended Service: AI Readiness Workshop ($25K)

AI Curious (Digital Basics)

Status: Beginning to explore AI possibilities

Characteristics:

• Basic digital tools in place
• Starting to hear about AI from competitors
• Some employees experimenting with ChatGPT personally
• Leadership discussing AI strategy

Key Milestone: First AI pilot approved

Recommended Service: AI Strategy Development ($75K)

AI Experimenting (Communication & Basic Automation)

Status: Using AI communication tools and simple automations

Characteristics:

• AI writing assistants (Copilot, ChatGPT)
• Basic chatbots for customer service
• Simple workflow automations (Zapier, Power Automate)
• Email and calendar management AI

Key Milestone: 25% of employees using AI weekly

Recommended Service: AI Implementation Accelerator ($150K)

AI Connecting (Agent Introduction)

Status: First agents performing specific tasks

Characteristics:

• Single-purpose agents (research, data analysis)
• AI-enhanced CRM and marketing tools
• Automated reporting and insights
• Basic predictive analytics

Key Milestone: First agent delivering measurable ROI

AI Collaborating (Multi-Agent Teams)

Status: Multiple agents working together

Characteristics:

• Agent orchestration platforms
• Cross-functional AI workflows
• Human-agent collaboration protocols
• AI-driven decision support

Key Milestone: 50% processes include AI components

AI Integrating (Department-Wide Intelligence)

Status: Full departmental AI transformation

Characteristics:

• Department-specific AI platforms
• Custom AI models for specialized tasks
• Automated quality control and optimization
• Real-time performance monitoring

Key Milestone: Department operates with 3:1 human-agent ratio

AI Orchestrating (Cross-Functional Intelligence)

Status: AI coordinates across departments

Characteristics:

• Enterprise-wide AI orchestration
• Predictive supply chain and demand planning
• AI-driven strategic planning
• Autonomous problem resolution

Key Milestone: AI prevents issues before they occur

AI Leading (Strategic Intelligence)

Status: AI drives strategic decisions

Characteristics:

• AI board advisors and strategy agents
• Market prediction and opportunity identification
• Automated competitive intelligence
• AI-generated business models

Key Milestone: AI identifies new revenue stream worth >$1M

AI Innovating (Creative Intelligence)

Status: AI creates new products and services

Characteristics:

• AI-driven R&D and innovation labs
• Autonomous product development
• AI-to-AI business partnerships
• Self-improving systems

Key Milestone: AI creates patentable innovation

AI Transforming (Adaptive Intelligence)

Status: Business model continuously evolves via AI

Characteristics:

• Real-time business model adaptation
• AI manages most operations autonomously
• Human focus on vision and ethics
• Quantum-AI hybrid systems

Key Milestone: Company structure reorganizes based on AI recommendations

AI Transcending (Living Intelligence)

Status: Organization becomes a living, evolving intelligence

Characteristics:

• Consciousness-like organizational awareness
• Symbiotic human-AI partnership
• Continuous self-evolution
• Industry transformation leadership

Key Milestone: Organization operates as unified intelligence system