AvePoint, which offers an advanced platform to optimize SaaS operations and secure collaboration, published the results of its first AI and Information Management report. This document comes in collaboration with the Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM) and the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL).
AvePoint surveyed more than 750 digital workplace leaders, worldwide, to discover that nearly every organization experiences challenges in implementing AI. The top challenge, it noted, involves issues with data quality. AvePoint also revealed that organizations with more-mature information management strategies are 1.5X more likely to realize benefits from AI than those with less-mature strategies.
Additionally, fewer than half of organizations are confident they can use AI safely.
Before implementing AI, 71 percent of businesses revealed concerns regarding data privacy and security, while 61 percent were concerned about quality and categorization of internal data. Fewer than half have an AI acceptable use policy despite the widespread use of publicly available GenAI tools (65 percent of organizations use ChatGPT and 40 percent use Google Gemini today).
Upon implementing AI, 45 percent actually encountered unintended data exposure.
“Unsurprisingly, data privacy and security were among the top concerns for organizations before implementing AI,” said Dana Simberkoff, chief risk, privacy and information security officer, AvePoint. “The reality is that not enough organizations have the proper policies in place today, which exposes them to risks that could be mitigated, if they better protect and govern their data and educate their employees on the safe usage of this technology.”
The survey exposed contradictions in organizations’ perception of readiness for AI, compared to their reality. Many companies experience gaps in data readiness and information management that have already or will pose significant obstacles to safe and successful AI implementation.
Additional statistics included:
- 88 percent of organizations report having an IM strategy in place, while 44 percent lack basic measures such as archiving, retention policies and lifecycle management.
- 29 percent of organizations use automation in most aspects of their IM strategy. As data volume grows, however, 64 percent of organizations managing at least 1PB of data and 41 percent manage at least 500PB of data.
- When implementing AI, 52 percent faced challenges with internal data quality.
“The amount of data companies are generating and must manage is growing rapidly, and this will only accelerate as more organizations utilize AI technology,” said Alyssa Blackburn, director of information management, AvePoint. “If organizations don’t establish or adapt their information management strategies, the challenges they are already facing will be exacerbated by AI. The good news is, 77 percent of organizations recognize they must implement additional strategies to keep pace with AI, which is a promising step in the right direction.”
Additionally, effective IM strategies can lead to a meaningful return on AI investments, according to the survey.
To read the full AvePoint AI and Information Management Report, please visit avpt.co/AI-report-2024. Details on AvePoint’s partner program are available here.
