Digital Realty has presented its report “Panorama of data and AI in Europe”, which highlights the growth in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in large companies: 85% of respondents in Europe are implementing strategies with this technology , while 42% already actively monetize it.
However, the report also exposes a disconnect between monetization and tangible success in business. Only 27% of European companies believe their current use of AI is transformative, indicating the need to strengthen digital infrastructure to make the most of this technology.
Virtually every business in Europe has begun to integrate AI in some form, with growing awareness of the importance of robust data strategies. In fact, 65% of respondents consider such strategies to be essential to efficiently manage and leverage data in AI projects.
Despite these advances, companies face great challenges, especially in terms of infrastructure. 57% report insufficient storage capacity to execute their AI plans, while another 57% highlight the need for strategic placement of IT infrastructure for efficient deployment. Additionally, the Data Gravity effect, where data is concentrated at specific points, makes it difficult to move and impacts performance due to network and application limitations.
Report reveals that companies must modernize their data strategies to maximize return on investment in AI
AI in Spain
In Spain, the main barrier that companies face in extracting value from their data is the lack of talent specialized in data analysis and technical capabilities. However, 46% of companies in the country consider AI to be transformative or crucial to their business model.
Robert Assink, general director of Digital Realty in Spain, highlights that “AI cannot be developed without adequate infrastructure that faces the Data Gravity effect and that meets the requirements of sustainability and energy efficiency.”
The report highlights the importance of aligning data placement with AI strategies, especially as artificial intelligence is deployed in multiple environments within organizations. This increases the need for data to be available for processing, especially at the edge. 72% of respondents agree that prioritizing data location is crucial to addressing challenges related to storage, processing and interconnection.
The lack of computing capacity is another growing challenge. More than half (53%) of companies do not have the computing power necessary to run AI processes where it is needed. Additionally, organizational obstacles such as a lack of management understanding or support for AI strategies continue to hold back progress.
As IT decision makers adjust their budgets to handle growing data volumes and leverage AI as a competitive advantage, only 14% are currently doing so. This reflects the urgent need to review data strategies to realize a meaningful return on AI investments.