Building Trustworthy AI Starts with Data Confidence, According to Protiviti Study
Protiviti's AI Pulse Survey reveals a strong correlation between data confidence and AI success, with 69% of highly AI-mature organizations expressing strong confidence in their data capabilities. The study, surveying over 800 global professionals, demonstrates that organizations with robust data practices achieve better AI ROI.
Key findings show that 74% of stage-5 AI-mature organizations conduct regular data audits, compared to 36% at stage 1. Among organizations exceeding AI investment expectations, 97% report high confidence in their data capabilities. The survey identifies five AI maturity stages, from Initial to Transformation, with data governance and security emerging as critical factors for success.
The research highlights that while tech and financial services lead in data trust, challenges persist across sectors, with 57% of AI-mature organizations citing inadequate data governance as a significant hurdle.
Il sondaggio AI Pulse di Protiviti evidenzia una forte correlazione tra fiducia nei dati e successo dell'IA: il 69% delle organizzazioni con elevata maturità IA dichiara grande fiducia nelle proprie capacità di gestione dei dati. Lo studio, che ha coinvolto oltre 800 professionisti a livello globale, mostra che chi adotta solide pratiche sui dati ottiene un ROI migliore dall'IA.
I risultati principali indicano che il 74% delle organizzazioni al livello 5 di maturità IA effettua audit dati regolari, rispetto al 36% delle realtà al livello 1. Tra chi supera le aspettative sugli investimenti in IA, il 97% riporta alta fiducia nelle competenze sui dati. La survey definisce cinque stadi di maturità IA, dall'Initial alla Transformation, sottolineando il ruolo cruciale della governance e della sicurezza dei dati.
La ricerca mette in luce che, sebbene i settori tech e finanziario guidino la fiducia nei dati, permangono sfide in tutti i comparti: il 57% delle organizzazioni mature in IA segnala una governance dei dati insufficiente come ostacolo rilevante.
La encuesta AI Pulse de Protiviti revela una fuerte correlación entre la confianza en los datos y el éxito de la IA: el 69% de las organizaciones con alta madurez en IA muestra gran confianza en sus capacidades de datos. El estudio, que encuestó a más de 800 profesionales globales, demuestra que las organizaciones con prácticas sólidas de datos obtienen mejor ROI de la IA.
Los hallazgos clave indican que el 74% de las organizaciones en la etapa 5 de madurez IA realiza auditorías de datos periódicas, frente al 36% en la etapa 1. Entre las organizaciones que superan las expectativas de inversión en IA, el 97% informa alta confianza en sus capacidades de datos. La encuesta identifica cinco etapas de madurez IA, desde Initial hasta Transformation, destacando la gobernanza y la seguridad de datos como factores críticos.
La investigación subraya que, aunque las industrias tecnológica y financiera lideran en confianza de datos, persisten desafíos en todos los sectores: el 57% de las organizaciones maduras en IA cita una gobernanza de datos inadecuada como un obstáculo significativo.
Protiviti의 AI Pulse 설문조사는 데이터에 대한 신뢰와 AI 성공 간에 강한 상관관계가 있음을 보여줍니다. AI 성숙도가 높은 조직의 69%가 데이터 역량에 대해 높은 신뢰를 보였습니다. 800명 이상의 글로벌 전문가를 대상으로 한 이 연구는 탄탄한 데이터 관행을 가진 조직이 AI에서 더 나은 투자수익(ROI)을 얻는다고 결론지었습니다.
주요 결과로는 AI 성숙도 5단계 조직의 74%가 정기적인 데이터 감사를 수행하는 반면 1단계는 36%에 그친다는 점이 있습니다. AI 투자 기대치를 초과한 조직 중 97%가 데이터 역량에 높은 신뢰를 보고했습니다. 설문은 Initial부터 Transformation까지 다섯 단계의 AI 성숙도를 규정하며 데이터 거버넌스와 보안을 성공의 핵심 요소로 꼽았습니다.
연구는 기술 및 금융 부문이 데이터 신뢰에서 선도적이지만 모든 산업에서 과제가 남아 있음을 강조합니다. AI 성숙 조직의 57%는 불충분한 데이터 거버넌스를 주요 장애물로 지적했습니다.
L'enquête AI Pulse de Protiviti révèle une forte corrélation entre la confiance dans les données et le succès de l'IA : 69 % des organisations très matures en IA expriment une forte confiance dans leurs capacités en matière de données. L'étude, menée auprès de plus de 800 professionnels à l'échelle mondiale, montre que les organisations disposant de pratiques solides en matière de données obtiennent un meilleur ROI lié à l'IA.
Les conclusions clés indiquent que 74 % des organisations au stade 5 de maturité IA effectuent des audits réguliers des données, contre 36 % au stade 1. Parmi les organisations dépassant les attentes en matière d'investissement en IA, 97 % déclarent une grande confiance dans leurs capacités en données. L'enquête identifie cinq stades de maturité IA, de Initial à Transformation, en soulignant la gouvernance et la sécurité des données comme facteurs critiques.
La recherche souligne que, si les secteurs technologique et financier sont en tête en matière de confiance des données, des défis subsistent dans tous les secteurs : 57 % des organisations matures en IA citent une gouvernance des données insuffisante comme un obstacle important.
Die AI Pulse-Umfrage von Protiviti zeigt eine starke Korrelation zwischen Datenvertrauen und AI-Erfolg: 69 % der Organisationen mit hoher AI-Reife geben an, großes Vertrauen in ihre Datenfähigkeiten zu haben. Die Studie, die über 800 Fachleute weltweit befragte, belegt, dass Organisationen mit soliden Datenpraktiken einen besseren AI-ROI erzielen.
Wesentliche Erkenntnisse zeigen, dass 74 % der Organisationen auf Reifegrad 5 regelmäßige Daten-Audits durchführen, verglichen mit 36 % auf Stufe 1. Unter Organisationen, die die Investitionserwartungen für AI übertreffen, berichten 97 % von hoher Datenvertrauenswürdigkeit. Die Umfrage definiert fünf Reifestadien von Initial bis Transformation und macht Daten-Governance sowie -Sicherheit zu kritischen Erfolgsfaktoren.
Die Studie betont, dass zwar Technologie- und Finanzsektor beim Datvertrauen führend sind, jedoch in allen Sektoren Herausforderungen bestehen: 57 % der AI-reifen Organisationen nennen unzureichende Daten-Governance als bedeutendes Hindernis.
- 97% of organizations exceeding AI ROI expectations report high data confidence
- 74% of mature organizations conduct regular data audits, showing strong governance
- 69% of highly AI-mature organizations report being very confident in data capabilities
- 76% of stage-5 organizations report exceeding ROI expectations
- 57% of AI-mature organizations struggle with inadequate data governance
- Security and compliance oversight remains challenging even for mature companies
- Manufacturing and distribution sectors lag behind in data trust
- Bias detection and mitigation remains a significant challenge across maturity stages
As organizations mature, their data practices become more structured and intentional. At stage 5, the highest level of AI maturity:
74% of organizations conduct regular data audits — more than double the rate at stage 1 (36% ).57% have implemented robust data management policies and standards, compared to just24% at the starting point.
Among organizations in which ROI on AI investments has significantly exceeded expectations, nearly all (
Surveying more than 800 respondents, including C-suite executives, board members and leaders across global industries, the report builds on Protiviti's initial AI Pulse Survey to reveal how a strong data foundation is critical to advancing AI capabilities and realizing measurable returns.
The survey examines organizations' AI maturity through five phases:
- Stage 1: Initial – Organization recognizes AI's potential benefits but has limited understanding and no strategic initiatives. KPIs have not yet been defined.
- Stage 2: Experimentation – Organization has initiated small-scale AI projects and pilot programs to assess feasibility and benefits.
- Stage 3: Defined – Organization has integrated AI solutions into existing business processes, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making.
- Stage 4: Optimization – Organization has optimized AI systems for performance and scalability, with continuous improvements based on data feedback.
- Stage 5: Transformation – AI drives significant business transformation at the organization, creating new opportunities and reshaping the industry landscape.
Expert Perspective
"Data confidence should be a primary focus for any AI strategy," said Peter Mottram, global leader of Protiviti's Enterprise Data and Analytics practice and a leader of its AI practice. "Organizations that trust their data are more likely to exceed expectations, scale effectively, and innovate with confidence.
"However, waiting for perfect data can stall progress," Mottram added. "Even messy data has value, and AI can help improve it. Organizations that invest in data literacy and governance will move more confidently along an AI maturity curve."
Key Findings
Where Data Confidence Leads, ROI Follows
Organizations with high data confidence are more likely to exceed AI investment expectations:
- Stage 2: Organizations begin piloting AI projects. Confidence levels start to improve, and there's a noticeable shift toward slightly exceeded expectations among those who are confident or very confident in their data.
- Stage 5:
69% are "very confident" and76% overwhelmingly report exceeding ROI expectations.
Insight: Data maturity underpins AI value. Trustworthy, well-governed data enables scale, reduces bias, and delivers meaningful outcomes.
Barriers to AI Performance
Notwithstanding the level of maturity, data challenges persist:
57% of AI-mature organizations cite inadequate data governance as a significant challenge.- Even mature companies struggle with security and compliance oversight.
Confidence by Sector, Region, and Role
- Industry: Tech and financial services are among the leaders in data trust; manufacturing and distribution lags behind.
- Geography: Respondents from countries that have invested in data standardization and quality programs have greater confidence in their data.
- Role: Confidence increases with seniority, peaking at the C-suite level.
Identification and Addressing Bias Risk Evolves with Maturity
- Stage 1:
30% report no bias—likely due to limited detection or simpler use cases where bias is less likely to occur. - Stages 2–3: Bias is most frequently reported, as detection improves but mitigation tools are still developing.
- Stage 5:
28% report no bias—reflecting stronger mitigation strategies that identify and address issues before they affect results.
Maturity Includes Greater Awareness of Challenges
- The most mature companies have the experience to anticipate challenges and to be prepared for them.
- Stage 5:
59% cite security and compliance as top concerns (up from41% at Stage 1), because maturity brings awareness of potential challenges and the strategies to address them.
Methodology
Protiviti surveyed over 800 global professionals—including C-suite executives, board members, and managers—across industries such as technology, finance, and operations. The AI Pulse Survey series, launched in 2025, explores themes like AI readiness, ROI, data challenges, and governance risks.
About Protiviti
Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, digital, legal, HR, risk and internal audit through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries.
Named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the 11th consecutive year, Protiviti Inc. has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI).
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SOURCE Protiviti Inc.
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