The report, conducted by the Business Performance Innovation Network, Growth Officer Council and EncompaaS, surveyed 170 global business decision makers to observe business model variances around AI and data.
While optimism around Generative AI remains high, the research uncovered a stark disparity between expectation and readiness. Despite 79 per cent of leaders anticipating a competitive advantage from GenAI in the next 18 months, just 13 per cent described themselves as “extremely confident” in their organisation’s data-AI maturity.
Key barriers include data accuracy and reliability (69%), AI integration and implementation challenges (68%), and ethical concerns including governance and trust (58%).
The findings point to a growing disconnect between businesses’ desire to be data-driven and their current ability to manage and leverage data effectively—an issue that could stall innovation if not urgently addressed. As companies look to unlock the potential of AI for everything from forecasting to customer experience, the need for robust data infrastructure has never been more apparent.
Sachin Agrawal, Managing Director for Zoho UK, commented: “Artificial Intelligence is already having a transformative impact on business processes such as data analysis, forecasting and customer experience. However, maximising these benefits requires a foundation of high-quality, well-governed data.
To truly innovate, businesses must ensure that the tools they use are intuitive, integrated, and accessible to all employees—not just technical teams. Simplifying data management and improving user experience is key to enabling AI to flourish across every department.”
Our own Zoho Digital Health Study shows that 46 per cent of businesses with good digital health are already seeing AI pay dividends. The message is clear: organisations that invest in data governance, quality, and workforce upskilling will be best placed to lead responsibly and competitively in the AI era.”
