AI Investment Surges Amidst Data Literacy Gaps

Generative AI adoption has surged among major corporations, with 69% of businesses reporting revenues over $500 million now employing the technology, a notable increase from 48% in 2025. This expansion is mirrored by a strong commitment to enhancing data management capabilities, as 86% of Chief Data Officers plan to increase investments in this area through 2027. Key areas for this investment include improving data privacy, security, and governance, as well as boosting data and AI literacy.

Despite increased AI adoption and growing trust in the data powering AI models, a significant skills gap persists. A large majority of Chief Data Officers surveyed believe their workforce needs substantial upskilling in both data literacy (75%) and AI literacy (74%). This deficiency poses a risk, as employees may not adequately recognize potential data shortcomings or poor quality, impacting the responsible use of AI outputs.

Agentic AI adoption has also gained traction, with 47% of companies currently utilizing it and an additional 31% planning to implement it within the next year. The primary benefits cited include enhanced customer experience and improved business intelligence. Nevertheless, data quality, security concerns, and a lack of expertise remain key challenges. Robust data governance is crucial, with many acknowledging their visibility and governance measures have not kept pace with AI usage, highlighting a need for increased investment in these critical areas.