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  • AI Ambitions at Risk as Only 14% of Enterprises Fully Realize Cloud Value, NTT DATA Study Finds

AI Ambitions at Risk as Only 14% of Enterprises Fully Realize Cloud Value, NTT DATA Study Finds

* AI is increasing cloud dependency, yet investment levels are not aligned
* As legacy applications and data hold back innovation, modernization emerges as a top cloud priority
* Technology ecosystem complexity puts a spotlight on security investments and the need to focus on fundamentals
Business Wire via ITWeb,
LONDON, 26 Mar 2026

NTT DATA, a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services, today released its new report, Cloud-led innovation in the era of AI: The new rules for driving value with cloud, revealing that just 14% of organizations have reached the highest level of cloud maturity despite nearly two decades of cloud adoption.

Based on a global survey of more than 2,300 senior decision-makers across 33 countries, the findings highlight a paradox as cloud takes on a new and critical role as the execution layer of the AI operating model. While 99% of organizations say AI is increasing demand for cloud investment, 88% say current cloud investment levels are putting AI, cloud-native and modernization initiatives at risk.

Additionally, while cloud is seen as essential for innovation, fewer than half of organizations are satisfied with its impact or with their modernization progress, signaling a disconnect between ambition and reality as expectations rise.

Cloud leaders, or organizations that indicated they are “cloud evolved” — the most advanced in terms of cloud adoption and impact, with solid business performance – are significantly better positioned to capitalize on AI.

“AI is accelerating faster than enterprise cloud maturity,” said Charlie Li, President, Global Head of Cloud and Security, NTT DATA, Inc. “Cloud has moved well beyond infrastructure and is now the execution layer for AI. Organizations that fail to evolve their cloud foundations risk constraining the growth and value of their AI investments. Our clients who are succeeding are treating cloud as a value creator, not a technology initiative.”

Six imperatives for driving value with cloud in the era of AI

NTT DATA outlines six rules organizations must adopt to turn cloud into a strategic value engine:

Together, these imperatives provide a framework for unlocking value in an AI-driven world. To explore the full findings, download the report: Cloud-led innovation in the era of AI: The new rules for driving value with cloud.  

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About the report

Respondents include C-suite, senior executives and other senior staff from enterprises spanning technology, manufacturing, banking, financial services, healthcare, consumer and other sectors.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 70 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D. Visit us at nttdata.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260326642296/en/

Contacts

Media Contacts
Lori Bosio | lori.bosio@nttdata.com