Wolters Kluwer poll shows EHS and ESG teams are laying the groundwork for AI-driven transformation

Additional survey findings from the poll include:

Top challenges to AI deployment

• 23% of respondents cited data quality as the biggest challenge to AI deployment.
• 18% cited change management and adoption.
• 12% cited resource constraints.
• Only 1% identified regulatory complexity, suggesting that internal operational hurdles may be more pressing than external compliance pressures.

Top AI use cases prioritized by EHS and ESG leaders

• 19% selected automating routine processes.
• 17% chose making data easier to find and use in decision making.
• 15% prioritized predictive forecasting to anticipate risks and trends.
• These responses reflect a growing desire to use AI to streamline operations and enhance decision-making, especially in data-intensive environments.

Leading obstacles to scaling AI

• 43% cited data quality and integration across sites and systems as the biggest barrier to scaling AI.
• 19% pointed to a lack of internal skills and AI literacy.
• 18% mentioned change management and frontline adoption.
• 17% identified unclear ROI or business case.
• 13% cited ethical, regulatory, or security concerns.

 Safeguards and governance priorities

• 48% emphasized the need for human review and sign-off at defined checkpoints.
• 41% highlighted clear accountability for AI-assisted decisions.
• 36% called for transparent communication of AI use to workers and stakeholders.