CIOs claim readiness for AI, but data shows otherwise. A Stibo Systems study reveals 91% stress customer data management's importance, yet only 31% trust their data. Many rely on shadow databases and spend hours cleaning data, impacting innovation and leading to lost revenue and reputational damage. Despite having centralized data solutions, 76% still use spreadsheets for fixes, highlighting a governance gap—57% lack formal data policies. AI adoption struggles due to poor data quality; organizations misjudge readiness, valuing governance over spending. The path to effective AI hinges on trustworthy and unified customer data.
