The executive playbook for scaling AI: Start with data modernization

Scaling AI is less about models and more about the quality, accessibility, and governance of enterprise data. For CIOs, the strategic implication is clear: data modernization is a prerequisite for AI at scale, enabling faster time to value, better decision-making, and lower risk from inconsistent or siloed data. IT organizations should treat data architecture, integration, and governance as core AI enablers rather than back-end maintenance work.