CDOs turn to tech innovation after building data maturity
As organisations strengthen their data foundations, chief data officers (CDOs) are increasingly driving technology innovation, according to a new Deloitte report which shows, CDOs overwhelmingly agree that a well-defined data strategy is essential.
70% of CDO's are either rolling out artificial intelligence (AI) systems or experimenting with proofs of concept to assess their value. While only a small number feel AI is reshaping their organisations today, most expect that maturing these capabilities will soon deliver significant impact.
Deloitte's report highlights the importance of giving the organisation a unified data direction. Without this, siloed activity and duplicated efforts can easily take hold. Deloitte argues that a shared, documented vision allows CDOs to communicate how data should fuel performance and support long-term business goals.
Two-thirds (67%) of CDO's of high maturity organisations named AI as their top focus, followed by the development of data products (56%), showing they are prioritising business value creation over data quality.
For low-maturity organisations the emphasis remains on building data capabilities. Data governance leads the list (63%), with data strategy (41%) and data quality (33%) close behind.
The survey also shows that data strategy remains a stable priority year over year. Roughly one-third of CDOs still consider it a top focus for 2025, illustrating the ongoing need to treat data as a core strategic asset in digital transformation.
Richard Bovey, Chief for Data at AND Digital commented: "The conversation around data and AI has shifted dramatically over the last few years as businesses are beginning to realise that AI isn't just a technology upgrade, instead it's a capability that requires good quality, well governed data. Without trusted, well-managed data, even the most advanced AI models will fail to deliver meaningful or reliable outcomes.
"64% of business leaders agree that fragmented data is their organisations biggest barrier to introducing AI and what's becoming increasingly clear is that data strategy and AI strategy can no longer be separated. The organisations that will lead in the next decade are the ones treating data as a product, investing in data literacy across their workforce, and building AI systems that are transparent, governed and aligned to real business value."
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