Capgemini Report: AI and Data Mastery Drive Sustainability Despite Deployment Challenges

• Data mastery drives sustainability: 83% of businesses now evaluate vendors based on sustainability, underscoring the role of data in environmental impact.
• Generative AI is key but challenging: 60% of organizations have piloted generative AI, yet 75% face hurdles in large-scale deployment.
• Sustainability and AI alignment is crucial: 78% of executives acknowledge AI’s higher carbon footprint, highlighting the need for sustainable AI strategies.

Capgemini’s Latest Insights on Data Mastery and AI Integration

Capgemini’s latest report, Data-Powered Enterprises: The Path to Data Mastery, reveals a significant shift in how organizations are harnessing data for both business growth and sustainability. The report, based on surveys of 500 data executives and 500 business executives, shows that two-thirds of these leaders now use data to create new products and services, highlighting a substantial surge in data-driven innovation.

Dr. James Robey, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Environmental Sustainability at Capgemini, emphasizes this shift: “Capgemini continues to prioritize sustainability, ensuring it remains at the core of our business strategies and operations. We believe in empowering our employees to take proactive steps towards a more sustainable future, making a tangible impact on the world around us.“

Generative AI: The Future and the Challenges

According to the report, 60% of organizations have implemented pilots or early proofs of concept (PoCs) for generative AI initiatives using their enterprise data. However, the journey to full-scale deployment is fraught with challenges—75% of organizations cite significant difficulties in expanding these PoCs.

While generative AI promises to streamline data analysis and accelerate progress toward net-zero targets, it’s not without its pitfalls. As Cyril Garcia, Head of Global Sustainability Services and Corporate Responsibility at Capgemini, notes, “We are bringing our unique combination of consulting expertise, engineering capabilities, and digital transformation to help [businesses] minimize their impact and use today’s sustainability challenges as a catalyst for innovation and a driver of value.“

Balancing AI’s Benefits with Sustainability

The report also highlights the dual nature of AI’s impact. While 57% of data masters ensure they use AI solutions sustainably, this drops to 43% in other organizations. Furthermore, 78% of executives acknowledge that AI can have a higher carbon footprint than traditional IT programs, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability into generative AI strategies.

Organizational Readiness and the Road Ahead

Despite the excitement around AI, only 40% of data executives believe their organizations are mature enough on non-technical foundations, such as culture and ethical guardrails, to fully harness generative AI. In contrast, over half (56%) feel confident about their technical capabilities, including data, technology infrastructure, and technical skills.

Capgemini’s report underscores the importance of aligning technical advancements with robust governance frameworks to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing risks. The path to becoming a data-powered enterprise is becoming more complex, but the potential rewards are significant for those who master it.