NetApp has released its latest Data Complexity Report, highlighting the obstacles organizations face in expanding their AI initiatives. The report underscores the necessity for significant investments to achieve AI maturity by 2025. As businesses navigate this journey, understanding and addressing these challenges will be crucial for sustained growth and competitiveness.
Previously, organizations were predominantly experimenting with AI technologies. NetApp’s current findings reveal a shift towards scaling AI capabilities, emphasizing enhanced data management and security. This transition signifies a deeper integration of AI into business operations, moving beyond initial trials to comprehensive implementation.
Cost of Transformation
A majority of businesses report that their data is mostly optimized for AI, showing significant strides in data accessibility and accuracy. However, the path to AI maturity demands ongoing substantial investments.
“2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for AI, as organisations transition from experimentation to scaling their AI capabilities,”
stated Gabie Boko, NetApp’s Chief Marketing Officer. The study reveals that 40% of global tech executives expect unprecedented investments in AI and data management in the coming years.
While advancements have been achieved, realizing meaningful AI breakthroughs requires even greater financial and infrastructural commitment. Organizations prepared to invest could achieve significant enhancements in innovation and operational efficiency.
Data Silos Impede AI Success
Data fragmentation remains a major obstacle, with 79% of tech leaders emphasizing the importance of unifying data to unlock AI’s full potential.
Companies employing unified data storage systems are better equipped to prevent silos, ensuring data accessibility across hybrid multi-cloud environments. This approach minimizes fragmentation and fosters smoother data interconnectedness.
The report shows that businesses focusing on data unification are more likely to achieve their AI objectives by 2025. Organizations neglecting this priority are at a higher risk of missing their AI targets.
Scaling Risks of AI
As AI integration accelerates, security risks are intensifying, with 41% of tech executives anticipating a rise in threats by 2025.
The expansion of AI increases attack surfaces, making sensitive data and AI models more vulnerable. Nations at the forefront of AI development, such as India, the US, and Japan, are particularly susceptible to these escalating security challenges.
Despite these concerns, improvements in security measures are evident. Since 2023, fewer executives list cybersecurity as a top priority, indicating effective strategies are being implemented to combat AI-related security risks.
“The organisations leading in advanced analytics and AI are those that have unified and well-cataloged data, robust security and compliance for sensitive information, and a clear understanding of how data evolves,”
commented Krish Vitaldevara, SVP and GM at NetApp.
“By tackling these challenges, they can drive innovation while ensuring resilience, responsibility, and timely insights in the new AI era.”
Organizations must continue to prioritize data management and security to fully leverage AI’s potential while mitigating associated risks.
