New Report Reveals Widespread Data Distrust Is Undermining AI Ambitions

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Nov 18, 2025, 09:00 ET

Stibo Systems study finds 91% of business leaders recognize the importance of customer data management, yet only 31% fully trust their data

AARHUS, Denmark, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study from Stibo Systems, a global leader in master data management (MDM) solutions, reveals that despite aggressive investments in AI, most organizations are being held back by fragmented and unreliable customer data.

The report, Blind Spots and Broken Promises: The Real Cost of Fragmented Customer Data, surveyed 500 U.S. business leaders across manufacturing, retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), financial services and other industries. The report found that 91% of executives rate investment in improved customer data management as "very" or "extremely" important, yet only 31% fully trust the data that drives their decisions. More than half (55%) say poor data quality has already led to lost revenue, while 82% report losing over $100,000 annually due to inaccurate customer information.

"There's a concern brewing – that pouring money into flashy AI products to create smarter customer experiences may not be enough," said Adrian Carr, CEO of Stibo Systems. "We're seeing global enterprises building houses of cards on shaky data foundations, amplifying errors when that data is feeding expensive AI tools. If your data isn't 100% trustworthy, then it's 100% not ready."

Other key findings:

Despite most organizations claiming to have centralized data processes, the Stibo Systems study found that 76% still rely on "shadow databases" such as off-system spreadsheets to manage customer information. The result is a cycle of manual rework, inefficiency, and mistrust.
Six in ten leaders say their teams spend more than six hours each week cleaning and reconciling customer data instead of focusing on strategic or collaborative tasks.
Poor data governance impacts AI readiness. Nearly four in five (79%) respondents believe they are ready for customer-facing AI, but 28% cite data quality as a barrier to adoption.

"When fed with trustworthy data, AI insights can create high-value context businesses can use to get to the heart of what customers really want, even the emotions surrounding products and services," Carr said. "As everything becomes more nuanced, the organizations getting their data in good order now will be the ones defining customer trust."

About Stibo Systems
Stibo Systems is a leading enabler of trustworthy data through AI-powered master data management. Built on a robust and flexible platform, our SaaS solutions empower enterprises around the globe to deliver superior customer and product experiences. Our trusted data foundation enhances operational efficiency, drives growth and transformation, supports sustainability initiatives and bolsters AI success. Headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark, Stibo Systems is a privately held subsidiary of Stibo Software Group, which guarantees the long-term perspective of the business through foundational ownership. More at https://www.stibosystems.com.

For more information, please contact:
Katherine Hahn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE Stibo Systems