In an effort to assess the impact of generative AI and other advancements on organizational data performance, MIT Technology Review Insights conducted a survey involving 800 senior data and technology executives. Additionally, in-depth interviews were held with 15 leaders in technology and business sectors.
The report reveals several key insights. Firstly, it indicates that a limited number of data teams are keeping pace with AI developments. The findings show that the effectiveness of organizations in executing their data strategies has not improved since the advent of generative AI. Only 12% of respondents considered their organizations to be data “high achievers” in 2025, a slight decrease from 13% in 2021. Challenges such as talent shortages, difficulties in obtaining fresh data, tracing data lineage, and navigating complex security protocols continue to hinder AI success.
Moreover, the report suggests that AI performance remains underwhelming. Only 2% of respondents rated their organizations’ AI effectiveness as high in generating measurable business outcomes. While two-thirds of participants have implemented generative AI, only 7% reported that it has been deployed on a wide scale.
These findings raise questions about the readiness of organizations to leverage AI fully and the remaining challenges that need to be addressed to enhance data performance. For further insights, the full report is available for download.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/29/1124014/building-a-high-performance-data-and-ai-organization-2nd-edition/