Roadmap

AI-Ready Data
Essentials
How to govern, qualify and align
data to deliver value with AI
What is AI-ready data? Why is it important now?
Organizations that fail to realize the vast differences between AI-ready data requirements and traditional data

30
management will endanger the success of their AI efforts. Without AI-ready data, the promise of AI will fail
Through 2025,

%
to materialize. Robust data management and governance are essential for success and can themselves be
enhanced through AI-driven approaches. Learn the critical steps and strategies for preparing data to harness
the power of AI.

AI-ready
of generative AI (GenAI) projects will
be abandoned after proof of concept
Make your data ready for AI.
Make your AI ready for data. due to poor data quality, inadequate
risk controls, escalating costs or unclear
business value.
Data AI data
Semantics
quality labeling

Data AI data bias

Visualization
cataloging mitigation
Traditional
data Government Data AI synthetic Prompt AI-ready
policies product data engineering
management data
Data Chunking
engineering Lineage vector
embedding
Business- Scalability AI data
driven performance enrichment
workflow

Source: Gartner

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What makes data AI-ready?
AI-ready data means that your data must be representative of the use case, of every pattern, errors, outliers
and unexpected emergence that is needed to train or run the AI model for the specific use. Data readiness for
AI is not something you can build once and for all, nor that you can build ahead of time for all your data. It is a
process and a practice based on availability of metadata to align, qualify and govern the data.

AI-ready data

Alignment Qualification Governance

Align • Quantification • Consistency • Data stewardship

data
assessment
• Semantics • Inference and
• Validation and derivation
• Quality
verification
• Regulatory and
AI-ready • Trust and fairness
• Operational SLAs compliance
data • Diversity
• Versioning • AI standards
• Lineage support
• Continuous
Govern Qualify
contextually continuously
regression testing • Data sharing
• Observability
metrics

Source: Gartner

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3 key questions to ask as you develop and prioritize your
AI-ready data initiatives

1  oes your organization’s data align

D
with use-case requirements? 2  ow do you qualify data use to meet
H
AI-expected confidence requirements? 3  ow do you govern AI-ready data
H
in the context of the use case?

What are the key stages?

This roadmap shows the sequence of objectives and desired outcomes and is useful for aligning all
stakeholders. It is distilled from interactions with clients who have successfully implemented AI-ready data
initiatives. A few key milestones and associated Gartner resources are highlighted, but our full roadmap
includes complete details of all milestones and resources for each stage of the initiative.

Assess data Evolve data Extend the data

Gain buy-in from
management management management Scale and govern
the board
readiness practices ecosystem

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 Assess data Evolve data Extend the data
Gain buy-in from
management management management Scale and govern
the board
readiness practices ecosystem

Stage 1
Assess your data needs depending on the AI use cases.

Actions to take Sample resources available to Gartner clients

• Checklist: Assess Your Data Management

   Readiness for AI Initiatives
Ensure your data meets AI Ensure that the data meets Define ongoing data • Quick Answer: What Makes Data AI-Ready?
use-case expectations, such expected confidence governance requirements the
• Research: A Generative AI Playbook for CDAOs
as quantification, semantics, requirements for AI use data must meet in support of
• Video: How AI-Ready Data Drives Generative
quality, and trust and diversity. cases, such as validation and the AI use case, such as data
AI Innovation
verification, performance, stewardship, and data and AI
cost, and nonfunctional standards and regulations.
requirements.

Learn more: Download your guide to defining AI ambitions with the AI Opportunity Radar.

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 Assess data Evolve data Extend the data
Gain buy-in from
management management management Scale and govern
the board
readiness practices ecosystem

Stage 2
Present requirements for the evolving data management practice, and gain buy-in
and support from the board.

Actions to take Sample resources available to Gartner clients

• Research: Gartner’s Executive Leader Board

   Presentation Library
Educate the board on the Be specific about the value Define clear goals and • Research: How CDAOs Should Present Their
importance of investing in of AI-ready data to overall AI provide multiple ways to D&A Initiative to the Board
AI-ready data and mapping success and what is required; reach them.
• Expert Inquiry: Engage with an expert on
the use cases it enables to present an outside-in Gartner’s Framework for AI-Ready Data
business goals. perspective. • Executive Partner Inquiry: Engage with your
Executive Partner to benefit from their past
experiences

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 Assess data Evolve data Extend the data
Gain buy-in from
management management management Scale and govern
the board
readiness practices ecosystem

Stage 3
Evolve data management practices.

Actions to take Sample resources available to Gartner clients

• Quick Answer: Options for Using Your Data With

   Generative AI Models
Focus the scope: Center the Assess the knowledge Ensure enrichment: Metadata • Research: Successful Generative AI Projects
unique capabilities of retrieval- source: Categorizing provides critical context for Require Better Metadata Management
augmented generation (RAG) the underlying data as your current RAG deployment • Research: Explore Data-Centric AI Solutions to
around a specific use case structured, semistructured and will underpin the enabling Streamline AI Development
and demonstrate success by or unstructured will enable technologies. • Data and Analytics conferences: Discover the
providing business value. you to assess handling Data Management track
procedures or identify
potential risks.

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 Assess data Evolve data Extend the data
Gain buy-in from
management management management Scale and govern
the board
readiness practices ecosystem

Stage 4
Extend the data management ecosystem.

Actions to take Sample resources available to Gartner clients

• Research: How to Boost GenAI Impact on Data

   Quality Initiatives
Build a strong metadata Build data literacy and GenAI Evaluate and test the GenAI- • Research: How Will LLMs Impact Data Quality
practice, including rich skills to safely use these enabled data management Initiatives?
semantics, to improve the emerging data management capabilities provided by • Research: Choosing the Optimal Vector Database
accuracy of GenAI on top of technologies and detect vendors, and only deploy if for Your GenAI Product
enterprise data. potential pitfalls. the levels of accuracy, quality, • Innovation Insight: How Generative AI Is
security and privacy are Transforming Data Management Solutions
sufficient. • Phone consultation: Discuss methods, tools and
characteristics of a data management ecosystem
• Tool: Gartner BuySmart™ capabilities for data
management ecosystems

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 Assess data Evolve data Extend the data
Gain buy-in from
management management management Scale and govern
the board
readiness practices ecosystem

Stage 5
Scale and govern.

Actions to take Sample resources available to Gartner clients

• Research: Artificial Intelligence Requires an

   Extended Governance Framework
Set up governance initiatives Identify and track regulatory Assess current data and • Research: How to Design an Effective Data and
with associated structure, changes, assess impact AI literacy levels, devise a Analytics Governance Operating Model
roles, processes and practices on the enterprise and build curriculum and build a plan • Tool: Identify and Mitigate Top GenAI Risks
driven by outcomes; expand plans to accelerate and align to develop staff as a critical
existing D&A governance initiatives such as AI ethics part of change management
programs, including and responsible use. to support governance and
establishing an AI board. value realization goals.

Learn more: Download your Customizable Roadmap for Data Governance.

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Who needs to be involved?
The most successful companies establish cross-functional teams for their AI-ready data initiatives. We have outlined
the recommended functions to involve and their roles to ensure the best success in hitting the milestones.

Mission-critical team members

CIO CDAO and Team CISO and Team CFO Data Management Leader
Creates a collaborative working Build the foundation for the Engage with the CDAO and Works with the CDAO to Creates business impact by
structure with the CDAO with clear management, measurement and governance leaders to ensure that modernize value measurement investing in a modern D&A
responsibilities for each. The CIO monetization of D&A assets for risk management and information and realization approaches and ecosystem to deliver reusable
needs to partner on technology AI-driven innovation and business security implications are D&A budget processes to ensure data products that address
trends, architecture, infrastructure, transformation. They ensure value understood and addressed in the optimal allocation of resources enterprisewide D&A requirements
platforms and tools. realization by building a data-driven data, analytics and AI governance and impact on enterprise value. and data-driven innovation
and data- and AI-literate culture and initiative. The CISO also guides opportunities.
by leading data, analytics and AI planning activities for data asset
governance initiatives to mitigate management and governance,
risk and ensure trust. and risk and compliance activities.

Enterprise Application Data Engineers Sourcing, Procurement Data Management AI Team

Leaders They work closely with the CDAO and Vendor Management Architects They rely on the CDAO and their
Collaborate with the CDAO and and their teams to deliver an AI- Leader Plan the D&A technical roadmap; team to deliver the AI-ready data
enterprise architect to implement ready data foundation. Works with the CDAO to identify, design and implement master and governance necessary for AI
modern data management, assess and select technology data management policies, data applications.
analytical applications and vendors and external service pipelines and data stores; select
composable solutions. They providers. D&A tools and vendors; architect
support and manage applications and implement D&A solutions that
to achieve D&A strategy and span application, infrastructure
governance objectives. and security; and architect and
design data governance tools
and procedures.

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How Gartner supports your priorities
As you are working on getting your data AI ready, Gartner covers the depth and breadth of CIO
and CDAO priorities.

Digital CIO Executive Leadership CIO Leadership of Lead a World-Class D&A Organization
CIO Impact on Digital Business Strategy & Execution Performance Development Culture & People

Enable Digital Drive Enterprise Support Digital Assess & Distribute Create an Organize Discover the
Develop Executive Evolve IT Org Become a Establish
Business Strategy Governance of Products & Improve Digital Technology Actionable and Develop Potential of Data,
Leadership Structure Successful and Evolve an
& Design Technology Services Performance Leadership Data, Analytics and Data, Analytics and Analytics and AI
D&A Leader Operating Model
AI Strategy AI Talent for the Business

D&A Solutions for the Business

Drive Quantifiable Value With
Create & Execute Lead Org Change
IT Strategy & Shape Culture Scale Data, Engage
Analytics and AI Stakeholders

Evolve Technology and Process

Platforms and and Align

Capabilities to Support D&A

Evolve Operating Gartner Priorities Navigator™ Build an Adaptive Ecosystems
Gartner Priorities Navigator™
Expectations
Technology
Models
for Chief Information Officers Workforce
for Chief Data & Analytics Officers Demonstrate
Architect and
ROI and Measure
Optimize the
Build Software Demonstrate Business Value of
Technology
& Deliver the Business Data, Analytics and
Landscape
Applications Value of IT AI Initiatives
2024

Foster
Deliver D&A, Manage Manage Drive Culture Manage Data, Execute and Embed
Modernize I&O Technology- Track & Assess Evaluate Emerging Identify Business Manage Risk
AI and Digital Technology Technology Change to Support Analytics and Data, Analytics
and Cloud Enabled Disruptive Trends Technologies and Emerging Aspects of Data,
Platforms Risk Financials Data-Driven AI Governance and AI Initiatives
Innovation Technology Trends Analytics and AI
Decisions and Assets Effectively

Digital Foundations CIO Innovation Leadership Technology Finance, Risk & Value
Management
Build Trust and Mature D&A Culture

Gartner for Chief Information Officers Gartner for Chief Data & Analytics Officers
Gartner provides insight, tools and guidance to support initiatives from improving digital Gartner offers insight, tools and guidance to help CDAOs address four essential needs:
delivery and evolving IT organizational structure to modernizing I&O and cloud while lead a world-class D&A organization, drive quantifiable value with D&A solutions for the
upskilling and retaining talent. By working with Gartner, CIOs can measurably impact the business, build trust and mature D&A culture, and evolve technology and process
bottom line, demonstrate the value of IT and drive organizational objectives. capabilities to support D&A.

Source: Gartner

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Actionable, objective insight
Explore these additional complimentary resources and tools Access other insights from Gartner:
on data and analytics for CDAOs and other D&A leaders: Enhance Your Roadmap for Data and Analytics
Governance
Research Tool
How Generative AI Is Transforming Data Gartner CDAO Effectiveness Diagnostic Essential Guide to Data and Analytics Skills and
Management Solutions Design an operating model that deploys the right Capabilities
Transform the data management practice, ease D&A skills and work in the right places.
data access and reduce the technical skills barrier. How Data & Analytics Leaders Are Shaping
Generative AI Initiatives
Webinar Tool
Is Your Data AI Ready? Critical Questions Gartner Data and Analytics Maturity Score Get Stakeholder Buy-in on Your Next Initiative
You Must Ask Data Engineers for CDAOs
Learn how AI processes metadata from synthetic data, Establish good governance practices to enable key Drive Business Outcomes by Measuring the Value
labeling, enrichment and contextual processes. business outcomes. of Data Literacy

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