Ataccama, a company specialising in data trust, has unveiled its latest publication, the Ataccama Data Trust Report 2025, which focuses on the intersection of compliance, risk mitigation, and artificial intelligence (AI). The report highlights a critical gap between organisations’ aspirations for AI and their investment in compliance measures necessary to support that ambition.
The report states that 42% of organisations are prioritising regulatory compliance, while only 26% of these institutions are implementing compliance measures within their data teams. This discrepancy, as pointed out in the report, introduces significant blind spots that can lead to regulatory penalties and data breaches, ultimately undermining customer trust, financial viability, and competitive standing. The authors of the report propose that companies should reconceptualise compliance as a valuable foundation for achieving long-term business success and fostering customer trust.
Automation has been highlighted as an essential component of sustainable risk mitigation in the realm of data governance. The report emphasizes that generative and traditional AI tools can only be as effective as the integrity of the data they utilise. It reveals that 47% of organisations recognise the importance of data quality for compliance, while 39% stress that data accuracy is vital for mitigating risks. Despite this, the integration of automation into data workflows for tasks like validation and auditing remains significantly undervalued among organisations. The lack of automation could jeopardise the effectiveness of any investments made in AI by these companies.
Furthermore, the report addresses the issue of leadership misalignment, which 33% of organisations identify as a notable barrier to the responsible adoption of AI technologies. The report suggests that the rapid pace of AI development has made it crucial for leadership teams to align their strategic goals and foster a robust governance framework. Presently, 21% of organisations reportedly do not have such a framework in place. The authors argue that a cultural shift is needed to approach compliance as a strategic driver for innovation rather than a mere compliance checkbox.
The report also reveals that while only 2% of organisations perceive regulations as hindering innovation, a considerable 55% believe that existing compliance frameworks are overly restrictive. This points to a clear disconnect between the enthusiasm organisations have for AI and the realities imposed by regulatory requirements. Notably, only 24% of organisations have successfully implemented AI solutions at scale, highlighting a significant readiness gap.
The potential for automation to enhance regulatory compliance is underscored, with predictions suggesting an improvement rate of 40% this year. To facilitate this improvement, the report advocates for the establishment of cross-functional teams capable of adapting to ongoing regulatory changes and encourages a shift in mental frameworks to perceive compliance as a beneficial opportunity rather than an obstacle.
Mike McKee, CEO of Ataccama, commented on the findings, stating, “Ataccama is in a unique position to help companies tackle data quality as the foundation for successful AI business initiatives with our unified data trust platform that combines data quality, lineage, observability and master data management. Compliance built on high-quality, trusted data is the foundation for transparency, and it should be regarded as more than a tick-box exercise. Tackling this with a scalable solution embedded with AI-enabled automation will unlock a competitive advantage for initiatives such as customer expansion and personalized experiences. The business leaders that understand this and instill the same mindset throughout their companies will be the ones setting the pace in the future.”
The findings and recommendations outlined in the Ataccama Data Trust Report 2025 paint a picture of the current landscape surrounding AI, compliance, and risk management, casting light on the challenges and opportunities that organisations must navigate in their journey towards effective AI utilisation.
Source: Noah Wire Services