A survey by SolarWinds of 700 IT professionals reveals that security tops the list of AI concerns, with nearly three-quarters (72%) emphasising the need for measures to secure infrastructure. Privacy is another major worry, with two-thirds (64%) of IT professionals calling for stronger rules to safeguard sensitive information.
A majority (55%) believe that government intervention is crucial to curb the spread of misinformation through AI, while half (50%) support regulations focused on ensuring transparency and ethical practices in AI development.
The survey also reveals a lack of trust in data quality — something which is essential for successful AI implementation. Only 38% of respondents consider themselves ‘very trusting’ of the data quality and training used in AI systems. Additionally, 40% of IT leaders who have encountered issues with AI attribute these problems to algorithmic errors stemming from insufficient or biased data. As a result, data quality is identified as the second most significant barrier to AI adoption (16%), following security and privacy risks.
Rob Johnson, VP and Global Head of Solutions Engineering at SolarWinds commented on these findings:
“It is understandable that IT leaders are approaching AI with caution. As technology rapidly evolves, it naturally presents challenges typical of any emerging innovation. Security and privacy remain at the forefront, with ongoing scrutiny by regulatory bodies. However, it is incumbent upon organizations to take proactive measures by enhancing data hygiene, enforcing robust AI ethics and assembling the right teams to lead these efforts.
“This proactive stance not only helps with compliance with evolving regulations but also maximises the potential of AI. High-quality data is the cornerstone of accurate and reliable AI models, which in turn drive better decision-making and outcomes. Trustworthy data builds confidence in AI among IT professionals, accelerating the broader adoption and integration of AI technologies.”
