New study from Qlik and ESG reveals that while AI adoption is accelerating, most companies are implementing it with little governance, oversight or bias detection — leading to unreliable, risky and ineffective AI-driven decisions
THE Qlik®, a global leader in data integration, data quality, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), announces the results of a new study conducted with Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) exposing a critical disconnect between AI investment and execution.
The ESG research report, “Data Readiness for Impactful Generative AI”, reveals that companies are moving aggressively to scale AI, but many lack a structured plan to build the data foundations needed for long-term success. While 94% are increasing spending on products and services to enable AI-readiness of data, only 21% have managed to fully integrate AI into their operations. While most organizations recognize that data quality is crucial, governance, compliance, and bias detection remain major gaps preventing companies from fully exploiting AI’s potential.
“Companies are rushing to adopt AI by investing heavily without a cohesive strategy,” said Drew Clarke, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Qlik’s Data Business Unit. “AI is not a temporary fix — it is a permanent transformation that requires structure, governance and transparency. Without a clear plan and solid data foundation, companies are increasing risk instead of creating value.”
New research from Qlik and ESG highlights a stark misalignment between AI adoption and the precautions needed to ensure its success:
– AI adoption is accelerating, but many companies lack a clear implementation strategy: 94% of organizations are increasing spending on products and services that enable data readiness for AI, but only 21% have fully integrated AI into their operations.
– Companies are collecting more data, but are struggling to make it usable for AI: 64% of organizations collect data from 100 to 499 sources daily, highlighting the extent of data complexity.
– Operational efficiency is the key metric, but the full impact of AI remains unclear: 57% measure AI success based on operational efficiency, while a smaller number track its strategic impact on the business.
– Gaps in bias, governance and compliance are creating significant risks: 48% of organizations try to address biases in AI through transparency in model-related decisions and data sources.
– Data quality is critical, but governance remains a challenge: Only 47% strongly agree that their governance policies are applied consistently, highlighting gaps in oversight and compliance.
“AI is not a technology problem—it’s an execution problem,” said Stephen Catanzano, Senior Analyst at ESG. “Organizations across industries are moving quickly to scale AI, but without proper precautions, they risk regulatory, financial, and reputational consequences. While they recognize the importance of data quality, most still lack the governance needed to ensure that AI models are safe and unbiased. This execution gap is why so many AI projects stall or fail to deliver tangible ROI.”
Qlik and ESG Report AI Readiness identifies the most pressing challenges in AI execution and provides strategies to ensure long-term success. For deeper insights and expert recommendations, access the eBook here: https://www.qlik.com/us/resource-library/data-readiness-for-impactful-generative-ai
Regarding the Qlik
THE Qlik Qlik transforms complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving more than 40,000 global customers, the Qlik portfolio provides advanced enterprise-grade AI/ML, data integration, and analytics. Qlik’s practical and scalable AI/ML tools drive faster, better decisions. Qlik is the leader in data integration and governance, offering end-to-end solutions that work with diverse data sources. Qlik’s intuitive analytics uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to tackle complex challenges and seize new opportunities. Qlik is a strategic partner, and its expertise and technology-agnostic platform make its customers more competitive. For more information, visit www.qlik.com/pt-br.
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