Randy Bean’s report on AI and data leadership in 2025 provides stunning insights into the lay of the land for data professionals.

The survey was undertaken at the behest of a group of Fortune 1000 CIOs and data leaders who were looking to understand whether it was time to expand and accelerate data and analytics initiatives and investments within their organizations, and not view these initiatives as “just another data project”.

Participation

The 2025 survey is characterized by the largest and most diverse participation in the survey’s history – reflected in the balance of industry and geographic representation, and the seniority of participants:

  • The largest representation is from financial services firms, which comprise 40.2% of survey respondents – in contrast to 66.3% financial services representation five years ago.
  • Other industries comprise 59.8% of survey respondents — with the highest participation from healthcare and life sciences firms, and retail and consumer package goods companies — comprising 29.1% of survey participants.
  • Industry representation encompasses companies and organizations operating in energy, telecommunications, manufacturing, automotive, airlines, media, sports, entertainment, and government — comprising 30.7% of survey respondents.
  • This year, 15% of survey respondents are from companies and organizations located outside of North America, an increase from 7.4% in last year’s survey.

Executive Summary of Findings

Notable among the principal findings of this year’s survey are seven distinct trends:

  1. Organizational Investment in Data & AI
    The rapid emergence of AI, notably Generative AI, is fueling increased organizational investment in AI & data, with data & AI seen as a top organizational priority by a growing percentage of organizations. Overall investment in AI & data is increasing, with an increased focus on the importance of data, spurred by the recognition that great AI relies on great data.
  2. Delivering Business Value from Data & AI Investment
    AI initiatives are at an early stage for most Fortune 1000 companies. Progress is accelerating, with more initiatives moving into production as firms are beginning to deliver measurable business value from their data & AI investments. Organizations see AI/Generative AI as delivering business value in several important ways.
  3. Organizational Adoption and Transformation
    Organizational adoption and transformation resulting from AI is seen as steady, but gradual. A minority of organizations claim to be data/AI driven or having established a data/AI business culture. Most organizations continue to struggle with adoption and transformation, with cultural challenges noted as the greatest obstacle to progress.
  4. Responsible AI, Safeguards, and Guardrails
    Responsible AI is seen as an increasing priority for most organizations, as they focus on establishing safeguards and guardrails to ensure responsible AI utilization. More work needs to be done. Threats of misinformation and disinformation, as well as ethical bias, are ongoing concerns, as is the recognition that more AI talent is needed, and corporate boards require greater education on AI.
  5. Data & AI Leadership Progress
    Data & AI leadership is in high demand, with more organizations having appointed Chief Data Officers (CDO/CDAO), and a significant percentage of organizations adding Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers (CAIO). More data & AI executives are focusing on delivering business value through growth and innovation, and reporting to business leaders.
  6. Data & AI Leadership Challenges
    The CDO role continues to be very much a work in progress as organizational data & AI needs rapidly evolve. The CDO role is characterized by high turnover, short tenures, and not being well understood. While CDOs face headwinds as organizational change agents, most believe that the role is evolving in the right direction.
  7. An AI Future
    Organizations strongly believe in the transformational impact of AI, foreseeing significant opportunity for productivity and efficiency gains. Some firms are looking at AI as a growth engine. Most executives view AI as the most transformational technology in a generation, with the potential benefits clearly outweighing the potential risks.