As enterprises accelerate their AI journeys, a trio of critical challenges—security, sustainability, and data silos—has emerged as defining factors for success. A recent report from NetApp highlights these issues, urging organisations to address them as they optimise their digital transformation strategies.
“2025 is poised to be a transformative year for AI as businesses shift from experimentation to scaling their capabilities,” said Gabie Boko, NetApp’s Chief Marketing Officer. “However, the success of these efforts hinges on overcoming data complexity, ensuring robust security, and aligning innovation with sustainability goals.”
Investment in AI Transformation
While progress is evident, the journey to AI maturity remains costly. NetApp’s Data Complexity Report reveals that two-thirds of organisations globally claim their data is “fully or mostly optimised” for AI purposes. Yet, 40% of technology executives foresee “unprecedented investment” in AI and data management in 2025.
This significant financial commitment reflects the necessity of robust infrastructure and data optimisation. Enterprises prepared to invest in these areas stand to unlock unparalleled efficiency and innovation.
Breaking Down Data Silos
Data silos continue to be a major obstacle, with 79% of executives identifying unified data management as essential for achieving AI success. Fragmented data not only hampers accessibility but also undermines the effectiveness of AI initiatives.
Organisations embracing hybrid multi-cloud environments and unified storage solutions are better positioned to eliminate silos. These strategies ensure seamless data access, minimising fragmentation and boosting the likelihood of achieving AI objectives. According to the report, 30% of companies neglecting data unification anticipate missing their AI targets, compared to just 23% of those prioritising it.
Krish Vitaldevara, Senior Vice President and General Manager at NetApp, emphasised the importance of cohesive data strategies: “The organisations leading in advanced analytics and AI are those with unified, well-catalogued data. Addressing data challenges enables innovation while ensuring resilience and timely insights.”
Mitigating AI’s Security Risks
As AI adoption scales, so do associated security risks. NetApp’s findings show that 41% of executives predict an increase in security threats by 2025. This rise is attributed to expanding attack surfaces and vulnerabilities within AI models.
Countries at the forefront of AI, such as India, the US, and Japan, are more likely to experience heightened security concerns compared to nations with slower AI adoption. Despite these challenges, the report indicates progress. The number of executives citing cybersecurity as their top concern has declined by 17% since 2023, suggesting that robust measures are beginning to yield results.
“AI’s rapid evolution requires businesses to strengthen protections for both data and sensitive models,” Vitaldevara noted. “Addressing security proactively is critical for maintaining trust and operational resilience.”
Balancing AI Growth with Sustainability
AI’s environmental impact presents another pressing issue. Over one-third of executives expect AI advancements to reshape sustainability practices, while 33% predict increased government policies and investments aimed at energy consumption.
Powering AI demands substantial energy resources, creating tension between innovation and sustainability. While 72% of organisations prioritise reducing their carbon footprint, this represents a decline from 84% in 2023, reflecting the growing challenge of balancing environmental responsibility with technological progress.
For AI to scale responsibly, enterprises must align innovation with sustainability goals. Strategies include adopting energy-efficient infrastructure and integrating green policies into AI development.
The Path Forward
NetApp’s report underscores the importance of a holistic approach to AI. By addressing data silos, reinforcing security, and maintaining sustainability, organisations can drive innovation while remaining resilient and responsible.
“The future of AI belongs to organisations that not only advance technologically but also align their operations with environmental and security priorities,” said Boko. “The coming year will test businesses’ ability to integrate these pillars into their digital transformation strategies.”
With 2025 on the horizon, the path to AI maturity demands bold investments and strategic foresight. Those prepared to meet these challenges head-on will not only unlock AI’s full potential but also set the standard for responsible innovation in the digital era.
