If 2025 was the year of proving AI’s potential, 2026 is the year of putting it to work. Generative AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore; it’s embedded in the way businesses operate. Our recent survey of 600 data leaders from across the globe revealed that nearly 7 in 10 organizations have adopted GenAI, and almost half have taken the next leap into agentic AI — where machines don’t just create, they act.

But here’s the twist: while adoption is skyrocketing, confidence isn’t keeping pace. Behind the scenes, data leaders are wrestling with a paradox — employees trust the data driving AI, but most don’t have the literacy to question it. That blind trust could be the Achilles’ heel of AI success.

The trust paradox is real.

Imagine this: 65% of employees believe the data behind AI is solid. Sounds great, right? Except 75% of data leaders say those same employees need serious upskilling in data literacy, and 74% need AI literacy. In other words, people trust what they don’t fully understand. That’s risky when AI decisions can impact everything from customer experience to compliance.

Data reliability is still the elephant in the room.

Even as companies race to production, 57% admit data reliability is a top barrier. The good news? Progress is happening: 61% say better data quality is helping GenAI pilots succeed. But for agentic AI, half of leaders still cite data quality and retrieval as their biggest challenge.

Governance is playing catch-up.

Three out of four organizations admit their governance hasn’t kept pace with AI adoption. Many are extending existing data governance tools to cover AI, but others are investing in new frameworks or building from scratch. The message is clear: governance isn’t optional — it’s the foundation for responsible AI.

Investments are surging.

The response to these challenges? Money. 86% of companies plan to increase data management investments this year, focusing on privacy, security, governance, and — critically — upskilling employees. Because without the right skills, even the best tech can fail.

Ask yourself:

Do your employees know enough to use AI responsibly — or are they trusting blindly?

Is your governance framework evolving as fast as your AI adoption?

Can your data stand up to the demands of GenAI and agentic AI at scale?

If any of those questions make you pause, you’re not alone. The survey shows most organizations are still building the runway while the AI plane is already in the air.

AI’s promise is huge — better customer experiences, smarter decisions, streamlined operations. But the path to that promise runs through trustworthy data, strong governance and a workforce that understands what’s under the hood.

At Informatica, we believe success starts with an intelligent data foundation. Our AI-powered data management solutions help you move from pilot to production with confidence because scaling AI responsibly isn’t just good practice; it’s a business imperative.

Download the CDO Insights 2026 report and discover how leading organizations are navigating the trust paradox and building for the future.