AI ambitions, data doubts: 60% of business leaders feel unprepared

60 per cent of business leaders are unsure about their organisation’s readiness for data and AI, signalling a critical obstacle to progress at a time when AI adoption is accelerating across industries, according to research.

The report, conducted by the Business Performance Innovation Network, Growth Officer Council and EncompaaS, surveyed 170 global business decision makers to observe business model variances around AI and data.

While optimism around Generative AI remains high, the research uncovered a stark disparity between expectation and readiness. Despite 79 per cent of leaders anticipating a competitive advantage from GenAI in the next 18 months, just 13 per cent described themselves as “extremely confident” in their organisation’s data-AI maturity.

Key barriers include data accuracy and reliability (69%), AI integration and implementation challenges (68%), and ethical concerns including governance and trust (58%).

The findings point to a growing disconnect between businesses’ desire to be data-driven and their current ability to manage and leverage data effectively—an issue that could stall innovation if not urgently addressed. As companies look to unlock the potential of AI for everything from forecasting to customer experience, the need for robust data infrastructure has never been more apparent.

Sachin Agrawal, Managing Director for Zoho UK, commented: “Artificial Intelligence is already having a transformative impact on business processes such as data analysis, forecasting and customer experience. However, maximising these benefits requires a foundation of high-quality, well-governed data.

To truly innovate, businesses must ensure that the tools they use are intuitive, integrated, and accessible to all employees—not just technical teams. Simplifying data management and improving user experience is key to enabling AI to flourish across every department.”

Our own Zoho Digital Health Study shows that 46 per cent of businesses with good digital health are already seeing AI pay dividends. The message is clear: organisations that invest in data governance, quality, and workforce upskilling will be best placed to lead responsibly and competitively in the AI era.”

Schneider Electric leads discussions on sustainable AI infrastructure as the UK stakes its claim in...
Beroe raises $34 million to enhance its procurement intelligence platform, embracing strategic...
GenAI adoption soars as marketers realise its transformative potential in improving efficiency,...
Nokia and Nscale have announced a partnership to enhance AI infrastructure globally, integrating...
Ant International joins Google as a launch partner for the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2),...
Channel businesses are harnessing AI to enhance sustainability strategies, according to Nebula...
Tech Mahindra launches an advanced Agentic AI marketplace, transforming enterprise autonomy and...
Infosys collaborates with Switzerland's Sunrise to enhance IT frameworks, infusing AI to boost...