According to a report by International Data Corporation (IDC), as the Asia/Pacific region rapidly embraces generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies, security, trust, and governance have emerged as critical concerns that could either propel or hinder their widespread adoption.
The report mentioned that as chief information officers (CIOs) contend with supply chain disruptions and technology funding issues, approximately 45 per cent emphasise security as their primary concern for GenAI initiatives, highlighting the critical need to ensure data and system integrity amidst these challenges. Meanwhile, 34 per cent organisations in Asia/Pacific plan to significantly invest in GenAI initiatives within the next 12 to 18 months. This surge in GenAI investments is driven by its potential to revolutionise various sectors, from enhancing cybersecurity measures to automating compliance monitoring and improving risk management. Notably, more than 96 per cent enterprises in the region are integrating GenAI into their security functions, leveraging its capabilities to sift through vast data volumes, identify emerging threats, and respond to security incidents in real time. Organisations prioritise data security when selecting software providers for GenAI due to the sensitive data involved. The associated risks make robust protection a top concern.
As per the report, the complexity of AI algorithms further complicates matters due to data security and trust, raising concerns about fairness and reliability. To address these issues, organisations must prioritise cybersecurity, involving technology, processes, and people, to safeguard their assets and ensure business continuity.
The report highlighted that the importance of preparing for AI-ready trust and security, as only 22.4 per cent organisations feel adequately prepared in this regard. It emphasises the need for comprehensive guidance to technology buyers on developing secure and ethically sound AI solutions. Further, a strong preference for on-premises hosting of GenAI solutions among most organisations in the region reflecting a cautious approach towards data deployment, driven by cybersecurity and resilience considerations.
Commenting on the report, Deepika Giri, head, research, big data and AI, IDC Asia/Pacific, said, “As GenAI initiatives evolve, data trust becomes the key to driving successful outcomes. Simple productivity applications may not require extensive first-party data, making them easier to implement. However, as use cases become deeper and more specialised, such as in customer experience, the need for trusted, high-quality first-party data becomes the single biggest determinant of success, given that technology is uniform.”
