Singapore enterprises are grappling with significant data trust challenges as they strive to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, according to a new global study by Veeam Software. The research, unveiled at VeeamON London, highlights that whilst 85% of Singapore organisations are using or piloting AI agents, all report data challenges have hindered their AI progress. Only 25% of these organisations are confident in detecting AI systems operating outside approved parameters.
The study, which surveyed 600 senior executives globally, underscores the rapid pace of AI adoption outstripping the development of governance structures. In Singapore, 70% of executives feel competitive pressure to accelerate AI, with 25% describing this pressure as “intense,” the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.
A key concern for Singapore executives is ‘Shadow AI’, with 45% citing the use of their data for external AI training as a major risk. This is significantly higher than the global average of 31%. The study also notes that 50% of Singapore’s C-suite are worried about personal data misuse and cross-border data transfer restrictions affecting AI systems.
Anand Eswaran, CEO of Veeam, stated, “Most organisations don’t have an AI adoption problem; they have an AI trust problem.” He emphasised the need for secure, governed, and resilient data to ensure safe AI scaling.
The findings suggest that Singapore’s AI ambitions are closely tied to its data-trust posture, with regulatory frameworks focusing on data stewardship. As AI systems become more autonomous, the nature of failures is shifting, necessitating precise recovery strategies to manage potential risks effectively.
