New research from NTT Data indicated that businesses are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence but a gap in responsibility may hinder progress.
More than 80% of executives reported that leadership, governance and workforce readiness are not keeping pace with AI advancements, posing risks to investment, security and public trust.
The report, The AI Responsibility Gap: Why Leadership is the Missing Link, is based on insights from more than 2,300 C-suite leaders and decision-makers across 34 countries. It highlights the need for leadership-driven governance to align AI innovation with ethical responsibility.
“The enthusiasm for AI is undeniable, but our findings show that innovation without responsibility is a risk multiplier,” said Abhijit Dubey, chief executive officer of NTT Data. “Organizations need leadership-driven AI governance strategies to close this gap—before progress stalls and trust erodes.”
The report highlighted a divide among executives regarding AI priorities. One-third value responsibility over innovation, another third prioritise innovation and the remainder view both as equally important.
More than 80% of leaders say unclear government regulations are delaying AI investment and adoption, while 89% of executives express concerns about AI security risks.
Workforce readiness also remains an issue, with 67% of leaders stating that employees lack AI-related skills, and 72% indicated their organizations do not have an AI policy in place. Additionally, 75% of leaders say AI initiatives may conflict with corporate sustainability goals, requiring reassessment of energy-intensive AI solutions.
The report also called for leadership to take a more active role in AI governance. It emphasised that AI should integrate security, compliance and transparency from the outset and that organizations must go beyond regulatory compliance to adopt ethical and social frameworks for oversight. Workforce development is also identified as a priority, as employees need training to work effectively with AI and understand its risks. Additionally, collaboration among businesses, regulators, and industry leaders is necessary to create clear governance standards.
Dubey said AI will continue to have a significant impact, but without decisive leadership, there is a risk that innovation will outpace responsibility, creating security gaps and ethical concerns. He emphasised the need to embed responsibility into AI’s foundation through governance, workforce readiness, and ethical frameworks to ensure AI serves businesses, employees, and society.
