Report

The Performance Divide

How Data Foundations Determine AI ROI in Marketing

How Data Foundations Determine AI ROI in Marketing

71% say they’re AI-ready. 37% meet foundational data requirements. Just 3% report consistent AI performance gains.

AI adoption is outpacing the data infrastructure required to support it.


Based on research across 150+ senior marketing leaders, this report reveals where AI readiness breaks down and what actually drives measurable performance.

  • Why AI readiness is overstated

  • The data conditions that determine AI performance

  • How fragmentation limits results

  • What it takes to build an AI-ready foundation

AI adoption is outpacing the data infrastructure required to support it.


Based on research across 150+ senior marketing leaders, this report reveals where AI readiness breaks down and what actually drives measurable performance.

  • Why AI readiness is overstated

  • The data conditions that determine AI performance

  • How fragmentation limits results

  • What it takes to build an AI-ready foundation

Get the research

© 2026 Marketing Evolution

© 2026 Marketing Evolution