As we know, any business process is only as good as its weakest element—and when it comes to optimizing generative AI, the weak link is clearly data management. Whether that involves cybersecurity vulnerability, lack of insightful information, inaccuracies, and/or sheer disorganization, businesses are struggling to swim through the ocean of data they collect, and managing this task is the greatest challenge for most leaders, new research from data movement brand Fivetran finds.
The firm’s new report, AI Readiness for C-suite Leaders, in partnership with MIT Technology Review Insights, found that C-suite leaders consider data integration, secure access to all data sources and the ability to share and combine data from every type of data source—including SaaS applications, legacy databases and custom applications—critical investment areas for leveraging AI and generative AI technologies. This prioritization underscores the critical role of robust data strategies in unlocking the full potential of AI and GenAI for business innovation and efficiency.
Key findings from the report include:
Data integration tops the list of priorities for AI and GenAI readiness
An overwhelming 82 percent of surveyed leaders affirm that scaling AI or generative AI to create business value is a top organizational priority, with 45 percent citing data integration and pipelines as their primary challenge.
Executives are laser-focused on data management challenges—and lasting solutions
Among survey respondents, 83 percent say that their “organization has identified numerous sources of data that we must bring together in order to enable our AI initiatives.”
Security and data governance are top concerns for regulated sectors
Security and data governance are identified as major challenges by leaders, particularly in highly regulated sectors, underscoring the importance of secure and compliant data practices at the outset of AI projects.
“Data integration isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a strategic imperative that underpins all successful AI initiatives,” said George Fraser, CEO of Fivetran, in a news release. “This report validates our mission to empower organizations with data movement capabilities that are not only efficient but also scalable and secure. As AI technologies continue to evolve, the ability to integrate and manage data effectively will distinguish industry leaders from the rest.3
Download the full report here.
The report is based on a global survey of 300 C-suite executives and senior technology leaders across 11 industries, including financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and government. Over half of the respondents (53%) are from organizations with revenues of $1 billion or more. The study also highlights in-depth interviews with leading experts from Saks, Honeywell, International Data Corporation (IDC) and Fivetran.
