AI Ambitions Collide With Data Hurdles as Most Organizations Struggle to Deliver Results

AI Is Central to Strategy for 86% of Organizations—but Data Complexity Holds Them Back

New research reveals a critical gap between companies’ AI ambitions and their ability to deliver real results. While nearly 9 out of 10 business leaders say AI is integral to their competitive strategy, many struggle with the practical challenges of scaling AI effectively.

According to a recent survey of 500 senior business and technology decision-makers, the hurdles are clear:

• 87% view AI execution as essential, not optional.
• 74% identify infrastructure costs, siloed data, and slow data ingestion as major barriers.
• 70% blame complex toolchains and fragmented data sources for difficulties in data integration.

Younger Executives Push Harder for AI Adoption

The survey also highlights generational differences in AI outlook. Nearly all leaders aged 25-34 (99%) see proactive automation as vital to success, compared to 83% of those 55 and older. Younger executives are also almost twice as likely to fully trust AI-generated insights (48% vs. 24%).

However, trust remains a significant concern overall. While 88% of executives have at least moderate confidence in AI insights, only 42% express full, audit-ready trust. Trust levels vary by role, with C-suite executives 31% more likely than directors to place full confidence in AI-driven decisions.

Bridging the Gap: Qlik’s New Capabilities

Recognizing these challenges, Qlik recently introduced innovations aimed at closing the AI execution gap. Their new agentic experience and the Qlik Open Lakehouse provide unified, trusted data environments. These tools simplify data integration and governance, making it easier to operationalize AI at scale.

Qlik emphasizes that success depends on practical solutions that streamline workflows and empower better decision-making. When AI execution is done well, it can dramatically improve an organization’s competitiveness and ability to innovate.

Key Takeaways for Executives

• AI is no longer optional—it’s fundamental to business strategy.
• Data infrastructure and integration challenges remain the biggest obstacles to scaling AI.
• Building trust in AI insights is critical, especially across different levels of leadership.
• Investing in unified, governed data platforms can accelerate AI adoption and deliver measurable returns.

To explore these insights further and learn about practical AI execution strategies, visit Complete AI Training.

About the Survey

The survey was conducted by Censuswide in April 2025 among 500 senior business and technology decision-makers in the U.S., aged 25 and older. Participants were involved in data strategy, AI adoption, analytics, and digital transformation.

About Qlik

Qlik helps organizations turn complex data into actionable insights that drive business outcomes. Serving over 40,000 customers globally, Qlik offers enterprise-grade AI, data integration, and analytics solutions. Their platform supports diverse data sources, enabling faster, smarter decisions and improved governance.