Using AI for Data Modernization

This IDC Perspective discusses the use of AI for data modernization. The management of legacy data is a challenge for many organizations. Historically, the volume of data, the disparate locations of the data, and poor information about the content, quality, usefulness, and validity of the data have discouraged active data management. Organizations can now use the capabilities of GenAI and agentic AI to overcome a majority of the challenges of legacy data management and modernize that data. There is a growing number of providers and tools that directly support the data modernization process. The technology and tools are evolving and can play a significant role in ongoing data management."GenAI and agentic AI make the task of discovering, assessing, classifying, and managing legacy data much easier. Given the need for improved data quality, data validity, and risk reduction, organizations should add data modernization in their plans and technology road maps," says Niel Nickolaisen, adjunct research advisor for IDC's IT Executive Programs (IEP). "What has been a daunting and sometimes overwhelming project is now within reach."