Every conversation about AI in business eventually arrives at the same question: “Are we actually ready for this?” It’s a more useful question than it might seem — because jumping into AI automation without the right foundations in place produces expensive, demoralising results, while waiting for perfect readiness means indefinitely deferring a competitive advantage that’s available right now. This checklist cuts through both the overcaution and the hype, giving you an honest, practical assessment of where your business actually stands and what to tackle first.