Growing Demand for Data Control

According to recent research commissioned by Expereo and conducted by IDC, one out of every two enterprises in the UK is now actively seeking enhanced oversight of their most critical information. Nearly 30% of British companies currently classify digital sovereignty as a primary or top-tier business priority.


AI Adoption Hurdles

The push for sovereignty is largely fueled by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence. Survey findings indicate that 58% of UK organizations view data privacy and security as the most significant obstacles preventing them from adopting AI technologies. Furthermore, 56% of technology executives expressed concern that AI implementation could expose their businesses to novel security vulnerabilities.


Redefining Digital Sovereignty

Expereo asserts that the concept of digital sovereignty must evolve beyond simple data residency—or where data is physically stored. The company emphasizes that true sovereignty must encompass the entire lifecycle of data as it moves across various clouds and networks. Ben Elms, CEO of Expereo, noted:

«Digital sovereignty is increasingly being driven by a desire for greater control over how data moves across cloud, network and AI environments.»

External Pressures and Regional Trends

Internal leadership concerns are not the only factors pushing this agenda. Roughly 26% of surveyed organizations reported that clients and business partners are exerting pressure to keep data localized. While the trend is global—with 33% of international organizations labeling sovereignty a high priority—the motivating factors vary by region:

  • Europe: The primary focus remains on strict regulatory frameworks such as GDPR.
  • United States: The emphasis is predominantly tied to national security interests.

Despite these regional differences, the rise of AI serves as a universal catalyst. Elms concludes that as AI continues to transform the business landscape, the ability to maintain visibility across data flows will be essential for companies to manage risk, ensure compliance across jurisdictions, and operate with greater confidence.