Is My Business Ready for AI?
Usually yes for one task, and no for everything at once. Readiness is not a verdict on your whole company. It comes down to whether one repeat task is written down clearly enough that someone other than you could follow it. If it is, you can hand that task to AI this month.
By Los Silva, founder of AI Simple and co-founder of THE LABL. The numbers below come from the rubric behind my free AI Readiness Score.
The 10-minute check
Pick one task that repeats, like replying to new leads. Then answer five questions about that task only.
- Can you say it in one sentence, with a start and an end? "A lead comes in, someone replies, a call gets booked." If it takes a paragraph, it is two tasks.
- Are the steps written down? Not in your head. If a new hire could follow the page on day one, yes. If you would have to stand next to them, no.
- Do the tools it touches share data? Or do you copy and paste from one to the next?
- Will a person read anything a customer sees? AI drafts, a person approves, until it has earned more room.
- What one number will show it worked? Minutes to first reply, hours a week, leads booked. Pick it before you start.
Each "no" is your to-do list. The second question is the one the score weights most, because the steps usually live in the owner's head.
What other AI readiness checklists skip
I went through the top results for "AI readiness checklist" this week, including AWS, Avolis and Xcelacore. They are careful, and they cover security, data quality and budget, which my score does not. Two things I did not find.
Weights. The two that publish a point system I could read in full count every box the same: Xcelacore gives one point per yes out of 28, and the Monreal IT checklist gives 0, 1 or 2 per item out of 50. So a gap that blocks your first task costs the same as one that does not.
A first move for a low score. Several end with "build the foundation" or point you to a vendor. Avolis is the exception: it tells you to count how often the work happens and time it. I would add one more move that fits an owner-run business: write the steps down for one task.
How I weight readiness in the AI Readiness Score
The score adds up to 100 across six parts. Written processes carry the most points, because the other parts get easier once the steps exist.
| Part | Points |
|---|---|
| Written processes | 25 |
| Lead handling | 20 |
| Connected tools | 20 |
| AI use today | 15 |
| Repeat work to hand off | 10 |
| Clear first targets | 10 |
Your industry and team size do not change the number. The rubric is public on the tool page, so you can check the math yourself.
Same business, one change
Here is the arithmetic from the rubric. An owner answers: processes not written down (0 points), a few tools connected (8), leads handled in an inbox or spreadsheet (6), tries AI personally now and then (5), 6 to 15 hours of repeat work (4), and picks one task to hand off (4). The total is 27, which is "Getting started."
Now that owner writes the steps down for the main process. Nothing else changes. The process answer moves to "Yes, for the main ones" (18 points), and the total becomes 45, which is "Ready for a first win." This is an illustration of the scoring, not a real client.
What your result means
- Under 35, Getting started. Write down the steps and connect your tools first. Then pick one task.
- 35 to 64, Ready for a first win. Pick one repeat task, set one number to measure it, and automate that one thing. Prove it before you add a second.
- 65 and up, Ready to scale. Move from single tasks to connected workflows, and keep a person on anything that reaches a customer.
What this does not check
The score does not test security, data quality or budget. Turn on multifactor login and test a backup restore, whatever your number says. For what to automate once you are ready, see AI automation for businesses: what to automate first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my business ready for AI?
Usually yes for one task, not for everything at once. Pick one repeat task and check that it is written down, that its tools share data, and that you know the one number that shows it worked.
What if my business scores low on AI readiness?
A low score changes your first task. It does not close the door. Under 35 on the AI Readiness Score means the groundwork comes first: write down the steps for one task and connect the tools it touches.
Does the AI Readiness Score check security?
No. It scores how ready the work is. Security basics such as multifactor login and tested backups matter for any business and are covered by fuller checklists like Monreal IT's and Telappliant's.
Does my industry or team size change the score?
No. Industry and team size do not change the number. They only decide which of Los's sites is the best next step.
Find out your number
It takes about 2 minutes and is free. You see your score and your first suggested task right away.
Take the free AI Readiness Score →
Next step
Solo owner or small team, start with the free briefing. Team of 6 or more, see THE LABL.
Or message Los directly:
DM me on Instagram (@loshustle) →