“Efficiency is the foundation  see it, access and manipulate it. This of every AI business case at perhaps explains why the priorities ADNOC, and it's where we leaders set for data integration are The 2026 start. But it isn't where the not the ones a technical reading might perspective value stops. When AI helps predict. Asked what should come a facility keep running first, they name security, privacy and through disruption or keeps regulatory compliance at 51% — • UNCHANGED: a team out of a hazardous ahead of accuracy and reliability at 46%, and interoperability and The top two challenges, in the space, that's a return too. common standards at 43%. same order: cybersecurity The next phase of AI in risks and data quality. energy belongs to those That ordering is also reflected in the Skilled talent holds third. who can measure the full findings around data readiness for AI. picture, not just the part Just eight percent of organizations • NARROWED: that's easiest to count.” say most of their data is structured Loss of human oversight, and AI-ready. A third say much of it is. a top-six concern in 2025 at Nada Al Meqbali Four in ten say some of it is, and 27%, is named by 21% this SVP Strategic Tech & 17% say little or none. year. Reputational risk, already AI Partnerships, ADNOC the smallest concern at 9%, What seems clear from the above is now stands at 7%. | that data demands from leadership | • NEW: | | are not for better pipes but for | | Geopolitical risk | | improved conditions under which | | (24%), limited cross-border | | the pipes can be opened — clear | | AI coordination (18%) | | ownership, defensible governance, and permission to move data across | and supply-chain risk | | a boundary and those conditions are | (10%) were not offered as | | set between organizations rather | options in 2025. | | than inside them. | | Figure 6 | | Leaders cite cybersecurity and data quality | | issues as key barriers to AI implementation | | Biggest barriers to AI implementation | | 49% | | 45% | | 43% | | 39% | 2025 | 2026 | | 37% | | 32% 32% | 32% | 30% | | 28% 29% | 28% | 27% | | 24% | | 21% | | 18% | | 10% | 9% | 7% Cybersecurity Data Lack of Unpredictable/ Regulatory Upfront Geopolitical Loss of Limited Supply Reputational risks quality and skilled escalating AI risk cost of risk human cross-border chain risk risk consistency talent usage costs implementation oversight AI coordination Powering Possible 2026 21