A Cloudera study reveals that while EMEA companies are optimistic about AI infrastructure, inadequate data organization and integration pose significant risks to successful implementation and regulatory compliance.
EMEA: High Ambition, Low Data Readiness
Cloudera research shows that 91% of companies in the EMEA region believe their data infrastructure will be able to support artificial intelligence development within the next 2-3 years. However, their data is not prepared, with the most common barriers being low visibility (41%), dispersion (34%), and a lack of integration between systems.
Particularly concerning in the context of the EU AI Act is the fact that only 26% of companies have organized data that remains under proper supervision. While 92% of EMEA firms claim to have a well-defined data strategy linked to business goals, technical and mental barriers persist. These include limited data visibility (41%) and a cultural reluctance to share data (35%).
Furthermore, 34% of respondents indicated that data in their organizations is dispersed, which significantly limits both collaboration and effective utilization. This problem is compounded by a lack of integration, as only 34% of those surveyed reported that their data is connected and consistent across all systems.
The Impact of Data Quality on ROI
Enterprises recognize that data quality is the foundation for effective AI implementation. Insufficient readiness in this area generates increased expenditures and heightens the risk of low return on investment. Cloudera’s findings confirm this, with 18% of respondents citing data quality issues as the main cause of low ROI for AI initiatives, and 16% identifying it as a factor leading to budget overruns.
AI Adoption Challenges in Poland
Polish organizations are also in the early stages of AI implementation. While Cloudera research shows EMEA companies have high ambitions, data unreadiness prevents many projects from moving from the testing phase to full implementation. According to PwC, only 33% of large Polish companies have successfully implemented most of their AI-related initiatives.
An even less optimistic picture of readiness is provided by research from ARC Rynek i Opinia and TGM Research for WEBCON, where only 8% of participating managers stated their company is ready to implement AI in business processes. The primary barriers identified were data security and concerns over control (38%).
Accelerating Compliance with the EU AI Act
As the deadline for the full implementation of the EU AI Act approaches, organizations using AI systems will be obligated to ensure data security and respect human rights. Currently, the pace of regulatory change is outstripping organizational readiness. EY research shows that only 31% of Polish companies have started the AI Act implementation process, while 40% are currently in progress.
For those at the beginning of this journey, implementing the directive will require both technological transformation and the organization of key areas for AI development. Most importantly, this involves data management, ensuring high quality, consistency, and proper oversight to meet both business and regulatory requirements.
