News

Data Quality Remains a Top Challenge to More Widespread AI Use

• By David Ramel
• 04/12/2024

Most organizations that are dragging their feet on AI might be doing so because their data estates just aren't up to snuff.

That's one of the key findings of AvePoint's recent "AI and Information Management Report." In it, the data management firm, in conjunction with the Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM) and the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL), surveyed over 750 digital workplace leaders worldwide to learn how their organizations are thinking about AI and data.

Unsurprisingly, AvePoint "found that nearly every organization experiences challenges when implementing artificial intelligence (AI), with the top challenge being issues with data quality." That echoes the findings of an earlier survey conducted by Informatica, which also identified data quality as major barrier to enterprise AI adoption.

AvePoint indicated that AI adoption could be boosted by more mature information management (IM) strategies, finding orgs in that camp are 1.5 times more likely to realize benefits from AI than those with less mature strategies.

"While 88 percent of organizations claim to have an information management strategy in place, 44 percent lack basic measures such as archiving and retention policies and lifecycle management solutions, resulting in an inadequate strategy that contributes to data quality issues, including accuracy, integrity, and excess," the report said.

Other key findings as presented by the company include:

• Organizations Have Serious Concerns Around AI Implementation: Despite widespread optimism around the promise of AI, organizations are concerned about its potential risks, especially as it relates to data privacy and security (71 percent), quality and categorization of internal data (61 percent), and integration complexity (59 percent).
• Many Do Not Govern the Use of Public AI Tools: More than half of organizations (53 percent) are using public AI tools without implementing an AI Acceptable Use Policy, which can lead to risks like damaging loss of intellectual property and competitive disadvantage.
• Nearly Every Organization Faces Hurdles During AI Implementation: While most organizations (88 percent) feel prepared for AI, almost all organizations (95 percent) experience challenges during AI implementation.
• Data Readiness Gap Hinders AI Implementation: Although most organizations (80 percent) believe their data is ready for AI, more than half (52 percent) faced challenges with data quality and categorization during implementation, highlighting a significant gap between perceived readiness and reality that must be addressed to successfully implement AI.
• Growing Data Volume Further Challenges Information Management Strategies: 64 percent of organizations already manage at least 1 PB of data, and 41 percent manage at least 500 PB of data. This growing data volume further challenges IM strategies, making it crucial for organizations to mature their strategy to manage and optimize their data effectively.
• AI-Ready Data Requires New Information Management Measures: To ensure the accuracy of AI input and output, 77 percent of organizations acknowledge they must implement new information management measures, and those willing to adapt have the highest levels of confidence in their data's readiness for AI.
• The ROI of AI Investments Hinges on Effective Information Management: Despite only 17 percent of organizations prioritizing a robust data strategy as the most effective way to ensure return on investments from their AI investments, the survey revealed organizations with mature information management strategies are 1.5x more likely to realize benefits from AI than those with less mature strategies.
• Assessing AI Success Requires Assessing Your Data Too: While 62 percent of organizations believe that performance metrics like efficiency gains are the best way to measure ROI from AI, it is equally important to assess data quality, including the quality of input data used to train AI models and the quality of output data generated by AI systems, to ensure long-term success.
• As AI Investments Skyrocket, Education is Key: Organizations have invested heavily in AI, yet only 46 percent of organizations offer AI-specific training. Focusing on AI and information literacy can bridge the gap between access to technology and successful implementation.

"Ultimately, the future of AI will be shaped by the actions that organizations take today," AvePoint said in its summary. "By prioritizing more robust information management strategies, organizations can build a foundation of trust in AI that will enable them to harness its full potential while safeguarding against potential risks and negative consequences."