SAS and IDC report highlights the value of trustworthy AI implementation

A new report released on September 1, 2026, by SAS and IDC, titled 'Data and AI Impact Report: The New Economics of Trust,' examines the success factors of corporate artificial intelligence investments. The research indicates that organizations adopting trustworthy AI practices are 15 times more likely to achieve a high return on investment (ROI) compared to those that do not.

Key findings show that companies excelling in corporate governance, data quality, and internal auditability significantly outperform their competitors, often recording at least double the ROI from AI applications. Conversely, the study notes that less than one in twenty organizations considered laggards in these practices achieve similar financial results. The report emphasizes that a primary barrier to employee adoption is the current inability of many AI systems to explain their decision-making processes, coupled with a lack of necessary data infrastructure within many organizations.

This data serves as a framework for organizations attempting to bridge the gap between AI potential and actual profitability. The study suggests that transparency and auditability remain the most critical components for the successful long-term integration of AI technologies in the business landscape.