"There is enormous disruption in the current business environment, and much of it centers on artificial intelligence (AI): Countries and regions are forming AI islands of policy. Corporations are realigning middle management and reskilling the workforce. Data has never been more essential or more valuable. Entering 2026, AI continues to reshape industries; leaders are wondering what to do as they embrace and grapple with what's next. Enterprises and individuals must find their fit in the emerging mix of uncertainty, hype and productive reality."
"Data is essential to AI, but how much is real data and how much is synthetic? Do companies have access to their critical data, and what are they doing to maximize their data for greatest value? Access matters as much as quality, and if a company can't provide access to its AI-ready data, it will quickly lose the competitive edge."
AI is causing widespread disruption across business environments, with countries creating divergent AI policies, corporations reorganizing middle management, and workforces undergoing reskilling. Data is fundamental to AI and simultaneously the primary bottleneck; 83% of business leaders report data infrastructure slows adoption. Distinctions between real and synthetic data, and the ability to access critical AI-ready data, determine competitive advantage. Companies are automating data management with AI but must first ensure data quality and access. Industries like financial services that invested in data over decades are better positioned to exploit next-generation AI technologies. Agentic AI and physical AI are beginning to transform operations and workforce roles.
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