The future of AI and data governance is being defined in two ways. Privacy-first architectures in data sources are setting the foundations for strong governance but will need the input of the privacy team to set and enforce appropriate control policies. Secondly, these data and AI governance programs will need to converge within data platforms to enable responsible AI innovation.
Defining a new direction for data
Bridging the gap: Innovating responsibly
Organizations of all sizes will continue facing new challenges in data and AI use. While AI drives innovation, it also brings risks that require scalable governance across diverse data sources. Discover the six key trends shaping these challenges — download the full report.
Responsible innovation is reliant on AI governance and privacy controls
“By adopting a unified approach to data governance, organizations will be well-positioned to harness the full potential of AI while navigating the complex regulatory landscape with confidence."
Shane Wiggins, Director, Product Management, OneTrust
Shifting legislation continues to drive privacy and compliance programs
Regulatory change management is becoming a top priority for privacy teams striving to stay ahead in an ever-evolving legal environment. Organizations are also turning to AI agents to bridge the gap between the vast amounts of new data generated daily and compliance with the influx of new digital regulations. Additionally, data linage tools are beginning to be utilized to meet regulatory challenges and fuelling increased transparency and accountability.
310M
The highest value single GDPR enforcement action in 2024 was €310 million.
3k+
OneTrust DataGuidance tracked 3,209 regulatory updates in the last year.
134
In 2024 there were 134 developments to AI laws and standards, including the introduction of new laws.
In 2025, an outside-in view will need continuous compliance management
As organizations continue to rely on third parties to support critical business functions, continuous third-party monitoring and risk management has never been more vital, or more challenging. While many compliance practices are 'the cost of doing business,' most companies are not in business to simply execute compliance. Having a risk-based perspective in the coming year helps organizations understand how compliance efforts help the business meet broader goals.
“To innovate rapidly with AI, a company must shift its privacy mindset from a post-development gatekeeper to an embedded set of principles foundational to the design of every AI project. Protecting privacy and ensuring responsible use of data from the start will reduce the risk and increase the lifetime value of every AI project."
Ojas Rege, SVP, Privacy & Data Governance, OneTrust
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