As the race to adopt artificial intelligence intensifies, enterprise data leaders are sounding the alarm about the potential costs of inaction. According to the Ataccama Data Trust Report 2025, 72 per cent of senior decision-makers in data strategy fear that failing to integrate AI could erode their competitive edge, underscoring the high stakes of the AI-driven economy.
The report reveals a complex landscape for AI adoption. While 74 per cent of organisations have introduced some AI solutions, only 33 per cent have achieved company-wide integration. Challenges such as data privacy concerns (43 per cent), high maintenance costs (37 per cent), and the complexity of integrating AI with legacy systems (34 per cent) continue to hinder progress.
Mike McKee, Chief Executive Officer at Ataccama, emphasises the importance of data quality in overcoming these obstacles. “Trustworthy data is the foundation of successful AI implementation,” he said. “By prioritising data quality, organisations can enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and innovation while gaining a strategic edge.”
The report identifies improving data quality and accuracy as the leading data management priority for 2025, cited by 51 per cent of respondents. Clean and reliable data is pivotal for realising the transformative potential of AI, enabling applications from enhanced customer service to operational efficiencies.
Data challenges are particularly pronounced in sectors like insurance, where 68 per cent of organisations rank data quality as their top concern. Insurers anticipate significant benefits from AI, including improved productivity (74 per cent) and competitive positioning (51 per cent). However, resistance from senior executives such as Chief Operating Officers and Chief Digital Officers (15 per cent each) highlights the need for stronger organisational alignment.
The healthcare sector faces unique hurdles in integrating AI, with 63 per cent citing difficulties in modernising legacy systems. Ethical considerations also loom large, with 39 per cent of healthcare leaders highlighting concerns around the responsible use of sensitive data. Despite these barriers, optimism prevails: 58 per cent of healthcare respondents see AI as critical for predictive analytics and decision-making.
The insurance industry illustrates AI’s dual potential for efficiency and innovation, with operational improvements and enhanced customer service at the forefront of its applications. These benefits highlight why insurers, along with other sectors, view AI as both a necessity and an opportunity.
While the transformative potential of AI is clear, the report stresses the importance of a balanced approach. Organisations must align leadership ambitions with operational readiness, focusing on robust data governance frameworks, cross-departmental collaboration, and targeted investments in data infrastructure.
The Ataccama Data Trust Report underscores a fundamental truth of the AI era: as businesses seek to scale AI capabilities, those that succeed will not only navigate challenges but also leverage trusted data as a strategic asset. The organisations best positioned for the future will be those that transform data trust into a competitive advantage.
