The Data and AI Impact Report: The New Economics of Trust from SAS explores how trust has become a critical factor in the successful adoption and scaling of AI as organizations move from generative AI systems that provide insights to agentic AI systems that take actions and make decisions. Drawing on responses from 2,699 decision-makers across 28 countries, the report finds that while AI deployment is accelerating, trust in autonomous AI remains significantly lower than trust in generative AI. It highlights the importance of strong governance, data quality, explainability, accountability, and responsible AI practices in building trustworthy systems. The research shows that organizations with mature AI governance frameworks and high trustworthiness scores are substantially more likely to achieve strong returns on investment, effectively manage risk, and scale AI initiatives successfully. Ultimately, the report argues that trust is no longer a technical consideration but a strategic business imperative that will determine which organizations realize lasting value from AI and which struggle to move beyond experimentation
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