Robot 'Pepper' communicates with journalists and guests in the exhibition 'Out of Office': When robots and AI work for us' at a press conference in the Museum der Arbeit. Christian Charisius | picture alliance | Getty Images

Artificial intelligence is predicted to speed up innovation in Asia Pacific over the next few years but less than half of the companies today are using the technology, according to a report from Microsoft and International Data Corporation. While most decision-makers polled agree AI is important in order for them to remain competitive, only 41 percent of the companies in the region have adopted the tech, the report said. One of the main obstacles preventing companies from readily embracing AI is skills shortages, according to Ralph Haupter, president of Microsoft Asia. "I think at this stage, it's skills shortage. And, really, getting the first step done," he told CNBC on Wednesday.

Shifting perceptions

The report pointed out that while a majority of companies said they were willing to invest and retrain workers, many lacked time and an understanding of where to start. Some respondents also said there were no suitable training programs for them to take. Consulting firm McKinsey previously said that automation would spur demand for advanced technological skills as well as higher cognitive skills — such as critical thinking, creativity and complex information processing, while demand for physical and manual skills would decline.

Still, Haupter said, the perception of AI as a threat to jobs is changing to curiosity about the technology. "People are now actually understanding that AI will be a way to augment the jobs and enrich the experience and take out non-productive stuff. I think we're on a very good path on AI making huge impact to society," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

Asia Pacific 'not ready'