What’s changing in data for 2026 (and why AI alone won’t deliver results) | What 2026 will demand from data: readiness before AI reality
Australian organisations are entering 2026 with a very different mindset about artificial intelligence.
After several years of experimentation, pilots and proof-of-concepts, the focus is shifting towards value. Leaders are asking harder questions about what technology actually delivers and what needs to be in place before it can deliver anything meaningful at all.
At Notitia, we’re seeing a clear pattern emerge: the organisations that will get the most out of AI in 2026 are not the ones chasing the newest tools. They’re the ones investing in clean, governed data, clear strategy and solutions designed around how people actually work.
This article expands on themes recently shared by Notitia Managing Director Alex Avery and Director Pierre du Preeze, bringing together insights from industry conversations, media commentary and Notitia’s work with Australian organisations across health, government and enterprise.
The AI hype reset: from tools to outcomes
Australia’s technology sector is heading for a reset in how it approaches AI.
With Australia’s IT spending forecast to reach A$172.3 billion in 2026, investment is not slowing — but expectations are changing. Executives are becoming more deliberate about what technology delivers, and far more cautious about adopting tools without a clear understanding of the problem they’re meant to solve.
As Alex recently told TechDay Australia, “we’re seeing the end of hype and the return of technology for purpose.”
That shift is being felt across industries. Rather than asking what the latest AI platform can do, leaders are asking where inefficiencies exist, where decisions break down, and what data is actually reliable enough to support automation or advanced analytics.
This reframing is important. AI doesn’t create value on its own. It only amplifies what already exists — good or bad.
AI readiness before AI reality
The organisations best positioned to benefit from AI in 2026 are taking a deliberate, data-first approach.
Early discovery conversations often reveal the same issue: the real barrier isn’t the tool, it’s the underlying data environment. Inconsistent definitions, poor data quality, unclear ownership and fragmented systems all limit what AI can realistically achieve.
As Alex puts it, “you can’t extract valuable insights or automated processes from chaos.”
Clean, well-structured and trusted data is the foundation for any form of advanced analytics or AI. Without it, outcomes become unreliable, inconsistent and difficult to scale. In fact, AI can make the consequences of poor data faster and more visible.
Readiness goes beyond collecting data. It’s about making data accurate, consistent and usable across teams, systems and decision-makers. Many Australian organisations are now taking a more pragmatic approach — proving value in stages, starting with areas where the data is already strong and expanding from there.
2026 will be about maturity, not momentum.
Data governance as a competitive advantage
Notitia Director Pierre du Preez says 2026 will see data governance and quality emerge as a defining differentiator between organisations that can scale AI responsibly and those that can’t.
If 2025 was about experimentation, 2026 is about reinforcing the data pipelines and governance frameworks behind those experiments. Organisations that know where their data lives, who owns it and how it’s being used are the ones able to move forward with confidence.
Business problems are rarely just technical. They sit across people, process and technology, and only become clear through structured discovery and governance.
While governance has historically been viewed as administrative overhead, that perception is changing. As Pierre explains, “data governance is the foundation of trust. It’s what makes innovation repeatable and scalable. You can’t move fast without control.”
When data is traceable, well managed and understood, AI moves from being risky to being reliable.
Why human-centred design still matters
Despite the focus on AI and automation, 2026 is also reinforcing something Notitia has long believed: technology only works if people can actually use it.
Human-centred design (HCD) ensures solutions are built around real users — their goals, constraints, workflows and decision-making environments. Without that understanding, even the most powerful dashboard or system will struggle to land.
At Notitia, human-centred design isn’t an add-on. It’s how every solution is shaped, from early discovery through to delivery and training.
As Alex explains, “if we don’t understand people’s goals, pain points and environment, the solution won’t work — no matter how strong the technology is.”
The difference between solutions that technically work and solutions that genuinely deliver value is almost always how well they fit into day-to-day operations. In 2026, we expect to see more organisations deliberately combining human-centred design with data analytics to drive adoption and trust.
Strategy before software
One of the biggest risks for Australian organisations in 2026 is treating AI as a shortcut rather than part of a broader strategy.
The pressure to adopt AI is real, but rushing into tools without understanding current capability, constraints and readiness is where many initiatives come unstuck.
AI is not a silver bullet. It amplifies what’s already there. Weak systems and unclear processes become bigger problems; strong foundations create faster, more sustainable value.
This is driving a shift away from reactive, tool-first decision-making and towards a more disciplined approach that prioritises clarity, discovery and readiness. Leaders are increasingly recognising that progress isn’t about doing more with technology — it’s about doing it right.
What this means for Australian organisations
The message for 2026 is simple: readiness first, tools second.
The next wave of data and digital transformation won’t be defined by who adopts AI first. It will be defined by who builds the most resilient, transparent and human foundations underneath it.
The next 12 months will be less about asking “what can AI do?” and more about “what are we actually ready for?” That’s where real impact will come from.
Ready to answer these questions? Contact us to get started in your data journey.
