Precisely, the global leader in data integrity, has published its fourth annual State of Data Integrity and AI Readiness study, conducted with Drexel University's LeBow College of Business Center for Applied AI and Business Analytics. Based on a survey of over 500 senior data and analytics leaders in large U.S. and EMEA enterprises, the research reveals a significant disconnect between organizations' perceived AI readiness and actual foundational gaps that threaten successful AI deployment.
Quick Intel
The study highlights a critical "Agentic AI Data Integrity Gap," where high confidence in AI capabilities masks underlying issues in data infrastructure, governance, and skills. As organizations accelerate AI adoption—particularly agentic systems that autonomously interpret signals, make decisions, and execute workflows—trusted data foundations become essential to avoid risks and achieve ROI.
"The research shows that confidence in AI does not automatically translate into ROI. Organizations are moving quickly, but many are doing so without the trusted, governed data foundations required to scale AI responsibly. That disconnect represents what we call the Agentic AI Data Integrity Gap, and it introduces significant risk," said Dave Shuman, Chief Data Officer, Precisely. "As AI systems become more autonomous, data integrity is no longer a nice-to-have; it's a business imperative. Organizations that invest now in integrated, improved, governed and contextualized Agentic-Ready Data will be best positioned to turn AI ambition into measurable business results."
Key differentiators include robust data governance and strategies. Leaders with these in place show greater confidence and success in scaling AI, including integration of location intelligence and third-party data enrichment (96% invest in these). However, skills shortages remain widespread, with only 38% feeling very prepared in staff AI training.
"The skills gap isn't about a lack of talent in one area, it's about the need for professionals who can operate across data, business strategy, and AI governance simultaneously," said Murugan Anandarajan, PhD, Professor and Academic Director at Drexel LeBow's Center for Applied AI and Business Analytics. "That reality has major implications for how organizations and universities prepare those entering the workforce for the era of Agentic AI."
Closing the gap requires Agentic-Ready Data strategies focused on unification, discoverability, governance, transparency, and automation to enable safe, effective agentic AI at enterprise scale.
About Drexel
University's LeBow College of Business Drexel University's LeBow College of Business is a top-ranked, AACSB-accredited business school with market-centric undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that prepare students to make an impact at the intersection of business and technology. LeBow's Center for Applied AI and Business Analytics forms partnerships to benefit current and future practitioners who seek to discover, advance and generate value from the transformational impact of data and AI on business and society. The Center connects leading corporations with faculty, researchers and students – providing access to college expertise, the ability to shape curricula and a talent pipeline for co-ops, internships and employment. From applied research, course projects and thought leadership to STEM youth programs and an engaged community of industry professionals, collaborations benefit organizations and students alike.
About Precisely
As a global leader in data integrity, Precisely ensures that your data is accurate, consistent, and contextual. Our portfolio, including the Precisely Data Integrity Suite, helps integrate your data, improve data quality, govern data usage, geocode and analyze location data, and enrich it with complementary datasets for confident business decisions. Over 12,000 organizations in more than 100 countries, including 95 of the Fortune 100, trust Precisely software, data, and data strategy consulting to power AI, automation, and analytics initiatives.
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