# AI Projects Need Data Readiness

> Why AI initiatives fail without clean data and governance.
- Title: AI Projects Need Data Readiness · Cloud Wars | Shortify
- Summary: Why AI initiatives fail without clean data and governance. 80% of AI projects don't deliver expected value due to poor data readiness and governance.
- Keywords: ai projects, data readiness, governance, ai adoption, data governance, Projects, Need, Data, Readiness, Cloud Wars
- Source: Cloud Wars — https://cloudwars.com/ai/ai-agent-copilot-podcast-michael-simms-on-why-ai-projects-need-data-readiness-strong-governance
- Author: John Siefert
- Published: 2026-10-06T14:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai projects, data readiness, governance, ai adoption, data governance
## AI Investment Value
Organizations struggle to get value from AI investments as 80% of initiatives don't meet expected outcomes.

> All the underlying pillars that are required for these things to actually work and actually provide value, those need to be revisited and looked at
## Data Readiness Challenge
Data readiness is the biggest single issue for AI projects requiring strong governance and iterative approaches.

> the biggest single issue that’s out there right now
## AI Adoption Strategy
Simms focuses on building organizational foundations before implementing AI technology.

> you don’t put on the shingles and the shutters and the paint before you actually build the foundation and the frame
## New AI Roles
AI will create new roles focused on governance and engineering for system implementation.

> roles focused on governance and engineering
## Critical Success Factors
Clean data, structured and unstructured data, and governance are essential for AI projects to scale.

> clean, organized, and ready to support AI systems and workflows at scale
## Key takeaway

80% of AI projects don't deliver expected value due to poor data readiness and governance.