Data problems consume a substantial share of many AI budgets
Fivetran · Fivetran · 12 Nov 2026
Source finding
39 percent report that at least a quarter of their AI budget went to avoidable work. The report places 36 percent in the 25–49 percent category and 3 percent in the category of at least 50 percent.
Our interpretation
Make data work visible in cost plans. This does not establish measured savings from a particular product.
Method and evidence
Survey of 500 senior IT, data and AI leaders, 24 August to 7 September 2026. Eight countries, multiple industries, mostly organisations with 200–1,999 employees. Medium-quality evidence for reported experience.
Limitations and interests
Self-report, no budget audit or causal test. Sampling and weighting are insufficiently explained. Fivetran sells data integration; its product benefits were not tested.
What businesses can do
Track data fixes, rebuilt integrations and repeated processing as separate costs. Before adding AI projects, check which of these activities recur across projects.
Where to start
Original report page 2: budget shares; page 10: methodology and definition.