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The Importance of Data Governance in AI Adoption

Dustin Miller

Jul 15 2025

4 min read

As organizations explore how AI can drive growth and productivity, one foundational truth often gets overlooked: AI is only as smart as the data you feed it. Without strong data governance, even the most advanced AI tools can produce flawed, biased, or insecure results.

Why Data Governance Matters

Data governance refers to the framework of policies, procedures, and standards that ensure your organization’s data is accurate, secure, and well-managed. For businesses adopting AI, it’s not just a best practice—it’s a prerequisite.

Effective data governance:

Improves data quality so AI models can deliver better insights and decisions
Ensures compliance with evolving data privacy and industry regulations
Reduces risk of data breaches, leaks, or misuse
Promotes accountability and transparency in AI-driven processes

The Critical First Step: A Data Audit

Before implementing AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, businesses must conduct a comprehensive data audit. This step is often skipped in the rush to “do something with AI” and that’s a costly mistake.

Risks of Skipping a Data Audit:

Garbage In, Garbage Out: If your data is outdated, inconsistent, or incomplete, AI outputs will be unreliable and potentially damaging.
Compliance Violations: Without a full understanding of what data you hold (and where), it’s easy to unknowingly expose sensitive information—especially under regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, or CCPA.
Security Vulnerabilities: Unstructured or poorly secured data is a prime target for breaches. AI can unintentionally surface this data if it’s not properly governed.
Biased or Inaccurate Results: AI systems may perpetuate historical biases if the training data isn’t clean or representative—damaging reputation and trust.
Wasted Investment: Without a clear view of data readiness, businesses risk underutilizing AI tools like Copilot or misaligning them with real business goals.

Copilot + Clean Data = Real ROI

Microsoft Copilot, when combined with strong data governance, can transform productivity across Microsoft 365 and Windows 11. It pulls information from SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, and other data sources to generate content, automate workflows, and provide real-time insights.

But for Copilot to work as intended, your data must be:

Discoverable
Accessible (with the right permissions)
Accurate and up to date
Secure and compliant

A data audit ensures these conditions are met and uncovers any red flags before they become roadblocks.

The Role of Windows 11 and the Surface Pro

The new Surface Pro with Windows 11 and Copilot is more than a hardware upgrade—it’s a platform for secure, AI-optimized productivity. Built-in data protection, AI-enhanced performance, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 make it an ideal choice for organizations looking to future-proof their operations.

With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, the time to act is now. Upgrading your technology stack—both in terms of governance and devices—is essential to realizing the full potential of AI tools like Copilot.

AI Copilot Workshop-Enter to Win a New Windows Surface Pro

Strong data governance and a thorough data audit aren’t just IT tasks—they’re strategic enablers of AI success. As you prepare to deploy tools like Microsoft Copilot, ensure your foundation is solid. When your data is trusted, secured, and well-organized, the opportunities with AI are limitless.

Ensure your AI initiatives are built on a solid foundation of data governance. Join our VIP Webinar workshop in September to learn how to implement effective data governance practices and leverage Microsoft Copilot for AI-driven success. Register now and get ready to transform your business with AI!

Take Action Today

Attend our VIP Webinar workshop on August 19th to learn more about the benefits of Windows 11 and how Copilot can enhance your productivity. Register today and take the first step towards a secure and efficient future!

Exclusive AI Webinar Workshop Details

Dates: Tuesday August 19^th, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM EST/10:00 AM CST – Noon EST/11:00 AM CST
Location: Webinar

Speakers: Sikich AI experts Jon Cole and Dustin Miller

This publication contains general information only and Sikich is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or any other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should you use it as a basis for any decision, action or omission that may affect you or your business. Before making any decision, taking any action or omitting an action that may affect you or your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. In addition, this publication may contain certain content generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) language model. You acknowledge that Sikich shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by you or any person who relies on this publication.

About the Author

Dustin Miller

Dustin Miller is a principal, who supports the managed services practice in the role of virtual chief information officer (vCIO). Dustin helps business owners and executives understand their current IT assets, create a vision and multi-year roadmap for IT that integrates with business objectives, and align specific technology initiatives within the annual budgeting process. He provides ongoing collaboration and serves as an executive-level technology team member that understands and can speak to both technology and business topics.