A new report reveals a staggering security gap as companies rush to adopt AI without knowing where their sensitive data resides. According to the Thales 2026 Data Threat Report, only 34% of organizations can locate all their data, while 61% now cite AI as their top data security risk.

This disconnect between rapid AI adoption and foundational data control spans critical industries including automotive, energy, finance, and retail. As enterprises embed AI into development pipelines and customer workflows, these automated systems receive broad access to enterprise data—often with fewer controls than human employees. The research, conducted by S&P Global's 451 Research, surveyed 3,120 security and IT professionals at companies with over $100 million in annual revenue.

Security experts warn that basic measures like identity governance and encryption are being bypassed, allowing AI to amplify weaknesses across corporate environments at unprecedented speed. Credential theft now leads cloud attacks, with 67% of organizations reporting such incidents. Meanwhile, only 30% have dedicated AI security budgets, leaving most companies to rely on traditional security frameworks ill-equipped for automated threats. The report emphasizes that as AI becomes deeply embedded in enterprise operations, continuous data visibility and protection are no longer optional—they're the foundation of modern security infrastructure.