Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Sicilian SMEs: Awareness, Readiness, and Context-Specific Pathways

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a pivotal lever for innovation and competitiveness, yet evidence on how it takes root in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains uneven, especially in regions with distinctive socio-economic features. This study examines awareness, perceptions and early adoption of AI among Sicilian SMEs. We first conducted in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs across digital and non-digital sectors to surface enablers and barriers—including digital maturity, organizational culture, training needs and resistance to change—which then informed a large-scale survey addressed to more than 2,000 firms. Qualitative findings reveal marked sectoral differences: digitally oriented firms already apply generative and analytical tools to development, marketing and administrative tasks, while traditional businesses display lower familiarity and greater reluctance to experiment. Insights from the interviews shaped the questionnaire measuring AI readiness, perceived benefits and challenges. Anchored in the Technology–Organization–Environment framework, the study contributes a context-sensitive perspective on SME digital transformation in a Southern Italian setting and offers practical guidance for policy makers, training bodies and business leaders. The results stress the need for differentiated capability-building pathways—combining targeted training, governance guidelines and awareness initiatives—to foster inclusive, responsible AI uptake and narrow emerging divides between digitally advanced and lagging SMEs.