Scaling agentic AI means trusting your data - here's what most CDOs are investing in (www.zdnet.com)

A recent survey conducted by Informatica, Wakefield Research, and Deloitte highlights significant trends and challenges in the adoption of agentic AI among chief data officers (CDOs). The survey reveals that 69% of companies with revenues over $500 million are now using generative AI, a noteworthy increase from 48% just two years prior. However, data quality and retrieval issues remain major hurdles for 50% of these adopters. Additionally, 86% of CDOs plan to boost their investments in data management over the next two years to overcome challenges posed by insufficient data literacy and governance, which 76% of leaders acknowledge has not kept pace with AI usage. The report emphasizes the importance of data trust, finding that while 65% of data leaders feel their employees trust the data used for AI, there are concerns over the workforce's understanding of data quality. Critical investments will be directed towards improving data governance, enhancing both data and AI literacy, and ensuring security and privacy compliance. With a growing belief in the potential impact of agentic AI—ranging from enhanced customer experiences to improved decision-making—2026 is projected to be pivotal for successfully scaling AI solutions in business, contingent on establishing reliable data practices and fostering a culture of data literacy.