AI foundations: Why data is the electricity of the 21st century

Published on October 1, 2025

The excitement around artificial intelligence is undeniable, but so is the sober reality: most initiatives get stuck in pilot mode or fail to deliver a meaningful return. The market is learning a hard lesson that winning with AI has less to do with the algorithm – and more to do with the foundational data that powers every organization.

In this first of our three-part series on AI, we unpack why a robust data strategy isn’t just a prerequisite for AI – it is the only way to succeed.

The productivity paradox: Why AI hasn't changed everything (yet)

It’s a story we keep hearing over and over these days: We're told AI will reinvent industries, create unprecedented efficiency – and unlock dozens of innovations. But for many leaders, the reality on the ground feels far less revolutionary.

Nobel laureate Paul Krugman recently compared AI to electricity in…

Data is electricity