No AI Success Without Data Hygiene

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a promise for the future, but already a competitive factor for Hungarian companies, according to a recent SAP survey of 387 Hungarian middle and senior managers.

According to the results, the business benefits of AI are tangible: the vast majority of companies using the technology experience faster decision-making, more efficient processes, and measurable financial benefits.

The nationwide survey, conducted in July 2025, showed particularly impressive efficiency gains and return on investment for companies with more than 250 employees, indicating that AI is now proving its worth as part of everyday operations. However, the breakthrough is not only brought about by software, but also by well-organized, high-quality data assets and conscious organizational preparation.

SAP Hungary's research on the use of artificial intelligence by Hungarian companies highlights that the biggest obstacles to AI adoption are not technological, but rather related to data quality and organizational issues. Managers identified three main problems: ensuring data security, lack of real-time access, and difficulties in integrating data sources.

In addition, many companies lack the necessary internal competencies: more than half of respondents cited a lack of AI expertise as an obstacle to adoption, while 41% cited limitations in IT infrastructure.

The research examined four key areas: current priorities for AI application, the state of technology and data conditions, the level of internal regulation and training, and how companies measure the return on investment of AI solutions. The pattern is clear: AI is no longer a "nice-sounding innovation" but the subject of concrete business decisions.

At the same time, the conditions for breakthrough are disciplined data management and the conscious building of organizational capacities.In the summer of 2025, 14% of respondents to a survey of 387 middle and senior managers do not use AI at all, 53% rely mainly on public, office-based AI tools, while 33% use proprietary or closed systems – this proportion rises to 41% among large companies. This clearly shows that the path to significant business advantages lies in personalized, integrated developments.