Data First, AI Next
Artificial intelligence has rapidly become a top priority for the business world, playing a vital role in the digital transformation journeys of organizations. However, studies reveal a sobering reality: three out of every four AI projects fall short of expectations, and only one-third of companies achieve meaningful value from their AI investments. Behind these figures lies a recurring issue data-related challenges. Fragmented, inconsistent, or incomplete data often prevent organizations from unlocking the business value they expect from AI initiatives.
This striking reality highlights a key truth: transitioning to AI is not just a technological choice it demands a robust data foundation.
So why do organizations frequently fail to achieve the desired outcomes from their AI projects?
The answer lies in the role of data and the infrastructure built with the right approach. While the volume of available data at the start of a project may seem sufficient, what truly makes a difference is the accuracy, completeness, and contextual relevance of that data. Data collected over time from various sources in differing formats and definitions can complicate system integrations and introduce new inconsistencies with every operation. Amid this complexity, the fundamental infrastructure needed for AI models to function properly is often overlooked.
Achieving sustainable success in AI projects requires more than choosing the right technical architecture or model. The quality and freshness of the data, along with the organization wide data management approach, form the backbone of transformation. When different business units are excluded, data ownership is unclear, or a data-driven culture is not established, expected business outcomes are often unattainable. In short, a successful AI project goes beyond data quality, it requires effective data governance, system-wide consistency, and organizational alignment.
To truly benefit from this transformation, organizations must adopt a data-centric strategy aligned with their business goals. It’s not just about how data is collected, it’s also about how it's managed, who is accountable for it, and how it contributes to business processes. An approach that takes into account the needs of different departments while prioritizing data quality and security enables AI applications to deliver long-term, measurable value.
At GTech, we develop integrated and sustainable solutions to address the core data challenges faced by organizations across various industries. In a recent transformation project with one of Turkey’s leading digital platforms, we unified data scattered across multiple sources and legacy systems into a centralized data architecture. This shift significantly improved both operational efficiency and data security. Perhaps the most critical outcome of this modern architecture was enabling consistent and up-to-date access to business-critical data across the organization. Following the project, the company was able to quickly launch its own AI initiatives ranging from advanced analytics to predictive modeling on top of this new data foundation. This transformation demonstrated how data-driven strategies can turn AI investments into real, measurable business value.
Highlighting the critical role of data in digital transformation, GTech’s Deputy General Manager İbrahim Öztürk summarizes:
“Expecting sustainable value from AI without a solid data infrastructure is unrealistic. Behind every successful AI project lies a data strategy integrated with business goals, a strong architectural foundation, and a data-driven mindset embedded across the organization. At GTech, we help organizations treat data as a strategic asset and empower their processes and teams accordingly. With every step we take, we’re not only solving today’s challenges but also safeguarding our clients’ future competitiveness.”
With over 25 years of experience, GTech is a research and innovation-driven technology company that supports organizations on their digital transformation journeys with a strategic focus in finance, banking, AI, and data analytics. Since its establishment in 2000, GTech has delivered AI-powered, customer-focused solutions that drive operational efficiency. By offering scalable infrastructure, agile decision-making capabilities, and robust security, GTech provides a competitive edge in a fast-evolving business landscape.
To learn more about GTech’s innovative products and solutions, feel free to contact us at marketing@gtech.com.tr