Recent findings from a survey conducted by NetApp reveal significant challenges faced by UK businesses in managing data as artificial intelligence (AI) projects escalate. The study, which surveyed over 1,000 data managers and architects in January 2025, indicates that the pressure to prepare for AI initiatives has resulted in the accumulation of a large amount of single-use data. This type of data fills storage systems without ever being accessed again.
Challenges of Data Management
IT departments are grappling with increasing costs and sustainability concerns, often unable to identify which data can be deleted. In many cases, retaining data is more cost-effective than attempting to clean it out. This has led to a situation where businesses anticipate a 50% increase in their data footprint due to AI projects, despite significant portions of existing data remaining unused.
Survey Insights
The survey highlighted that approximately 37.5% of business data is typically unused, with one-fifth of respondents indicating that over 50% of their data falls into this category. This inefficiency not only impacts storage costs and energy consumption but also hampers effective data management.
Matt Watts, chief technology evangelist at NetApp, emphasized the need for businesses to manage their data responsibly while leveraging AI’s potential. He stated, “Tackling single-use data is a key piece of this puzzle, and businesses must continue to invest more in reviewing and staying on top of their data estates.”
Barriers to Effective Data Management
According to the survey, 30.5% of respondents find it challenging to decide which data to retain or discard, primarily due to uncertainties surrounding its future utility for AI projects. The sheer volume of data presents a significant barrier for many organizations, with 30% believing it is more economical to keep data than to attempt cleanup. Less than 27% cited a lack of resources as a factor preventing effective data utility assessments, reflecting a budgetary concern that complicates data disposal efforts.
Focus on Sustainability
Despite these hurdles, 85% of business leaders recognize data management as crucial for reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, over 77% have adjusted their data management practices to align with AI data requirements. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) showed differing priorities; 24% did not regard data management as vital for reducing their data footprint, with many seeing IT cost reduction as a more pressing motivation for decreasing single-use data.
Adoption of Cloud Solutions
The migration to cloud storage has gained traction, with 76% of UK businesses beginning to transition some data to the cloud in pursuit of sustainability goals. However, it appears that “micro-businesses” are less likely to view cloud migration as a sustainability strategy, with 59% indicating they do not consider it relevant—possibly due to their existing reliance on cloud solutions or a minimal perceived environmental impact.