Global Data Insights Survey

Empowering the Data and AI-Ready Enterprise

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is here and there’s no turning back. New variations of AI modeling and accessible consumer-grade generative AI (GenAI) are disrupting business as usual. In their quest to gain competitive advantage, enterprise leaders are leveraging AI to innovate new products, digital experiences, and bolster operational efficiencies.

But the critical challenge in harnessing the power of AI is the impact the vast amounts of data workloads has on underlying infrastructure. To understand this impact, Digital Realty commissioned the second edition of the Global Data Insights Survey to learn how enterprises are re-envisioning data strategy and redesigning IT infrastructure to unlock the power of data and AI.

Download the Global Data Insights Survey and discover how IT leaders across the globe leverage data and AI to fulfill their business intelligence strategies and gain competitive differentiation.

Four Key Findings in 2024

1. Data-first strategies advance AI innovation
   79% of respondents with a high AI maturity are executing data strategies that guide IT infrastructure investments.
2. Data is pervasive and growing
   52% of respondents cite lack of sufficient investment in data systems, infrastructure, and analytics as barriers to gaining insights.
3. Data localization matters more than ever
   New points of data generation at the edge change the way infrastructure and data sets are deployed and interconnected.
4. Data drives the business agenda
   More than half of IT leaders say data insights are critical to improving customer experience and satisfaction. Data is the engine that drives important decision-making for the enterprise.

FAQ

What is the Global Data Insights Survey?

In the Global Data Insights Survey, C-level executives, technology leaders, and IT decision makers are surveyed on their attitudes, strategies, and priorities as they adopt data and AI strategies that may impact their IT infrastructure. The results of the survey offer insights into how data is becoming one of the most critical areas of focus for enterprises. It highlights the key challenges and opportunities for data management, with a particular focus on leveraging AI to gain a competitive advantage.

• Insights from 2,254 global IT decision makers across 11 industries
• Respondents from 21 countries in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe
• Global strategies on AI adoption and the data that fuels it
• Actionable takeaways from Data and AI Leaders

What is an example of a data strategy?
Data strategy involves the location, processing, management and analysis of business data to better achieve positive outcomes. An example of a data strategy is to plan IT infrastructure that allows data to be stored in a secure place in close proximity to where it will be used and processed.

From there, organizations can learn from the data by analysis, implement the learned changes, and then start the cycle again. A detailed strategy should address data hygiene and preparation, how to adapt to increasing amounts of data within the business, how data intelligence will be used to enable business efficiencies or new products and services, how the data will be secured, and where it should be located geographically. Schedule a workshop with Digital Realty’s solution architects to begin your data strategy today.

What is the data economy?
Digital information has an economic contribution, often called the data economy. Technology and data have an economic value that is generated by its creation, storage, and retrieval to national economies. You can learn more about data economy by discovering Digital Realty’s Data Gravity Index™.

Are the outcomes of the new Global Data Insights Survey different to the previous survey?
The 2024 Global Data Insights Survey shows an increased focus from IT decision makers to leverage AI for a competitive advantage. The first edition of the Global Data Insights Survey was published in 2022.