A recent survey by Informatica, a major player in enterprise AI-powered cloud data management, highlights that global data leaders are planning increased investments in generative AI (GenAI) this year despite facing challenges in achieving AI readiness. The findings from the CDO Insights 2025 survey reveal that data leaders across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific (APAC) regions are prioritising data management improvements to overcome current hurdles.
APAC leads global adoption despite challenges
According to the survey, APAC data leaders are outperforming their global counterparts in integrating GenAI into business processes. Over half (51%) of APAC organisations have already started implementing GenAI solutions, surpassing the U.S. (48%) and Europe (47%). This momentum is expected to continue, with 86% of APAC respondents planning to increase GenAI investments in 2025. In comparison, 93% of U.S. leaders and 82% of European leaders aim for similar growth.
Richard Scott, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific & Japan at Informatica, noted the driving force behind this growth: โOur latest CDO study reveals that a strong majority of 92% APAC data leaders are facing pressure from C-suite to deliver quick returns on AI investments. However, they remain committed to increasing their GenAI investments, driven by the transformative potential of AI when underpinned by data readiness.โ
Despite their optimistic outlook, nearly all APAC organisations using or planning to adopt GenAI (98%) are struggling to demonstrate business value and measurable ROI due to concerns over security, privacy, AI ethics, and data reliability.
Data management and skill development take priority
As part of their strategy to address these issues, 32% of APAC organisations are planning to boost investments in data management this year. Their top challenges include:
- Data quality (49%)
- Data privacy and protection (46%)
- AI ethics (42%)
To overcome these obstacles, APAC leaders are prioritising workforce training. The survey revealed that 85% of APAC organisations are committed to upskilling employees to ensure responsible use of GenAI in daily operations, a higher rate compared to other regions.
David Tan, Chief Data Officer at Income Insurance in Singapore, highlighted the importance of responsible AI use: โGenerative AI presents exciting opportunities for efficiency and innovation in the insurance and financial sectors, helping to accelerate digital transformation. At Income Insurance, our approach to data and AI integrates data governance and responsible AI frameworks, achieving a strategic balance between innovation and measured oversight.โ
Tan stressed that a solid foundation in data governance is critical to effective collaboration and achieving impact through risk-calibrated strategies.
Complex tool ecosystems and the way forward
APAC data leaders face an additional challengeโmanaging complex data ecosystems. With nearly a third of APAC respondents (32%) expecting to use 15 or more tools to support their data management priorities, organisations are at risk of fragmentation and inefficiency. This reliance on numerous tools and vendors could complicate their journey toward AI integration.
โA strong data foundation and strategy will be imperative to embedding trust in any companyโs GenAI efforts,โ added Scott. โInvestments in employee skillsets and modern data management strategies are crucial to achieving the business outcomes that the C-suite expects from AI.โ
With the growing complexity of data environments, APAC organisations will need to balance innovation with streamlined data management strategies to maximise the potential of GenAI.
