2026 marks a turning point for data leaders. Generative and agentic AI are no longer experiments; they’re reshaping business models at breakneck speed. Our latest CDO Insights report reveals both the promise and the pressure facing Chief Data Officers (CDOs) as AI adoption surges: delivering transformative business impact while simultaneously improving data quality, instituting strong governance, and upleveling skillsets.

More than two-thirds of organizations have already embraced generative AI (GenAI), with nearly half deploying agentic AI, technology that moves beyond content creation to autonomous execution and decision-making. This rapid uptake underscores AI’s shift from experimental to strategic imperative. Yet, success depends fundamentally on the quality and reliability of the underlying data and the ability to govern and observe the end-to-end AI outcomes.

Our research shows that 61% of data leaders credit better data quality and completeness as key enablers for moving AI pilots into production. Conversely, data quality and retrieval concerns remain top barriers, cited by 50% of organizations deploying agentic AI.

The emerging trust paradox: Confidence vs. literacy

This “trust paradox” is a core challenge. While 65% of employees trust the data powering AI initiatives, many organizations acknowledge significant gaps in data and AI literacy — 75% and 74% respectively — that threaten responsible AI use and risk mitigation. Without addressing these literacy gaps, blind trust in AI outputs can lead to flawed decisions, compliance risks, or AI project failures.

Governance and security have not fully kept pace with AI adoption; 76% of data leaders report that visibility and controls lag behind employee AI usage. The complexity of managing multiple vendors for AI and data management further complicates the landscape. These factors highlight the urgent need for robust AI governance frameworks that ensure ethical, secure, and compliant AI deployment.

The payoff of getting it right

Despite these challenges, the promise of AI is compelling: improved customer experience and loyalty, enhanced decision-making, operational efficiencies, and new revenue streams. Our report signals that 2026 will be the year many organizations begin to realize these rewards, provided they ground their AI initiatives in strong data management foundations and invest in upskilling their workforce.

We recognize that data is the lifeblood of AI success. We are committed to empowering data leaders with solutions that improve data quality, enhance governance of data and AI programs, and accelerate AI adoption while ensuring security and compliance. For CDOs, the outlook is clear: lead with rigor, demand measurable ROI, and build a data-driven culture that balances innovation with risk.

The future belongs to those who can harness AI responsibly and confidently. Let’s ensure our data foundations are ready to support this transformative journey.

Find out more in the full report, CDO Insights 2026: Data governance and the trust paradox of data and AI literacy take center stage.

About the Author:

Brett Roscoe is the Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Informatica Cloud Data Governance, and Cloud Operations at Informatica.

Roscoe brings over 30 years of experience in Product Management, Development, and Marketing. which includes launching and expanding new products as well as driving high-growth products and solutions through dynamic market conditions.  

Before Informatica, Roscoe held leadership positions at NetApp, where he led Product Management for the Hybrid Cloud Group and Dell, where he had several positions, including General Manager of the Data Protection Business and Senior Vice President of Software Product Management.