Companies struggling to keep pace with cloud requirements: NTT Data survey

With companies relying on more and more data to run AI tools, cloud storage needs are growing. The era of AI has fundamentally changed the role of cloud technology, shifting it from a simple storage solution to the primary execution layer for business innovation.

According to a global survey from NTT Data, while nearly all organizations recognize the importance of this shift, only 14% have reached a “cloud-evolved” state where these technologies are fully integrated into their business strategies. This gap highlights a significant disconnect between corporate ambition and the reality of technical execution.

The report found that only 14% of organizations consider maturity level as “cloud-evolved”, and that on the other hand, nearly a quarter consider their level as “cloud-novice”. Being a novice, in this case, means the organization is just starting out with public cloud tools and has limited experience, with minimal governance, security, and optimization.

Cloud and AI, hand-in-hand

Organizations are finding that they can no longer develop cloud and AI strategies in isolation. The demand for AI is placing unprecedented pressure on infrastructure, with 99% of organizations reporting that the rise of AI has increased their need for cloud investment.

Despite this, 84% reported that their spending remained flat over the past year. When it comes to overall cloud satisfaction, as probed by the survey, only 49% of organizations reported being fully satisfied with the role cloud technologies are playing in innovation. It was just 44% that said they are properly satisfied with their overall IT modernization.

This investment lag creates a high-stakes environment where current technical foundations may not support future goals. Chief AI officers are 22% more likely than other technology executives to advocate for increased cloud spending to support agentic AI, which performs tasks with higher levels of autonomy. Without this alignment, organizations risk spiraling costs and stalled projects.

Modernization and architecture choices

Modernizing applications is now the top priority for businesses over the next two years. The survey found half of organizations admit that their legacy systems and data platforms are holding them back from innovating.

But moving to the cloud for simple efficiency is no longer enough; instead, applications must be rebuilt to be cloud-native so they can scale and interact with AI in real time. Cloud leaders were more satisfied with their cloud-native applications than other, less prepared organizations.

Architecture decisions have also become a strategic focal point. Concerns over data privacy and sovereignty are driving a massive shift toward private and sovereign cloud models.

In fact, 99% of organizations expect to increase their use of private clouds, while sovereign cloud adoption is projected to grow 50% within the next two years. These choices are no longer just about IT preference but are dictated by the need for greater control over sensitive AI workloads.

Platform-led management and security

When it comes to managing cloud and AI security risks with solid plans, cloud leaders reported being far more prepared than other organizations. Cloud leaders are also far more likely than others (54% versus 34%) to define clear security roles and responsibilities, backed by regular audits and strong governance processes.

As technical environments grow more complex, platform-led approaches have become increasingly important. Organizations are moving away from manual coordination in favor of fully managed cloud platforms, with a projected threefold increase in adoption over the next 18 months. These platforms provide necessary visibility across networks and data centers, helping to manage the 57% of businesses that still struggle with cloud cost management.

Security remains the ultimate foundation for these efforts. While it is the primary area for cloud investment, confidence varies significantly between market leaders and other firms. The discrepancy between cloud leaders and the laggards suggests that leading firms are more successful at defining clear roles and maintaining the rigorous audits required to protect complex, AI-driven ecosystems.

“AI is accelerating faster than enterprise cloud maturity. Cloud has moved well beyond infrastructure and is now the execution layer for AI,” noted NTT Data President and Global Head of Cloud and Security, Charlie Li.

“Organizations that fail to evolve their cloud foundations risk constraining the growth and value of their AI investments. Our clients who are succeeding are treating cloud as a value creator, not a technology initiative.”