Exploring AI Integration in Sicilian SMEs: An Investigation on Awareness and Perspectives

In an increasingly digitalised society, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gaining prominence as a key driver of business innovation and competitiveness. While much research has focused on AI adoption in large enterprises, fewer studies have explored its integration within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in regions with specific socio-economic contexts. This study investigates the awareness, perceptions, and adoption of AI technologies among SMEs in Sicily, a region in southern Italy, characterised by unique economic and organisational dynamics. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative insights from in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs from both digital and non-digital sectors, and a large-scale quantitative survey targeting over 2.000 Sicilian SMEs. The methodological framework is structured in sequential phases, where the qualitative component plays a foundational role in informing and shaping the subsequent quantitative investigation. The qualitative findings reveal significant disparities in AI awareness and implementation between sectors, highlighting both enablers and barriers such as digital maturity, organizational culture, training needs, and resistance to change. These insights informed the development of a structured questionnaire to capture broader trends in AI readiness, perceived benefits, and challenges. The study contributes to the literature on digital transformation in SMEs by applying the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework to a specific regional context, offering both theoretical insights and practical recommendations for policymakers, training institutions, and business leaders seeking to foster inclusive AI adoption.