The People Behind the Practice: Why This Year's Research Matters

Research That Follows the Community

AIIM defines intelligent information management as a practice that integrates people, processes, information, and technology to drive digital transformation and achieve better business outcomes. We invest in regular research to better understand this practice, and the focus of that research tends to reflect the times.

In recent years, we focused on understanding the technology ecosystem and how enterprises were, or weren't, adopting AI and automation. This year, what we kept hearing from our community was a need to better understand what is happening to the people in IIM.

A Story of Growing Influence

Our 2025 Industry Watch research shows that information professionals are gaining influence, not losing it. The proportion of practitioners with primary or sole decision-making authority more than doubled in a single year, from 14% to 29%. Roles are expanding, with practitioners simultaneously managing physical records and implementing AI governance frameworks. Organizations where information professionals have gained that kind of cross-functional influence are measurably better positioned for AI success, with higher data quality, more mature governance frameworks, and greater confidence in their AI readiness.

A Practice Under Pressure

The volume and complexity of the work is growing alongside that influence. Data volumes are increasing. Technology stacks are expanding. In 2013, only 3.6% of organizations managed seven or more different information management systems. Today, 18% do. AI adoption is accelerating the demand for well-governed, accessible, high-quality data. The people responsible for making all of that work are being asked to do more, in more complex environments, with responsibilities that are evolving faster than job descriptions can keep up.

Rapid change in any practice can create a gap between what practitioners actually do and how their value is understood inside their organizations. That gap has consequences. Over the past year, I have personally seen colleagues and members face job losses, and the reasons behind that are varied and not yet well understood. Some of it may be economic pressure. Some of it may be organizational restructuring. Some of it may reflect a lack of clarity about what information management contributes when everything is in motion.

The conversations I've had with leaders and members over the past few months reflect all of that complexity. Position descriptions are changing faster than most professionals can track, and the urgency around reskilling is something I'm hearing from information professionals around the world, not just in the U.S.

What We Want to Understand

IIM cannot exist without information professionals, the original "humans in the loop." AI cannot succeed without good data and information. The question we want to understand better is what is actually happening to the practitioner right now: where they feel prepared, where they feel vulnerable, and what skills and strategies will help them excel in the years ahead.

How You Can Help

With this year's Industry Watch research, we're studying exactly that. We're asking about the tools you use, your perceptions of your role, your responsibilities, and your involvement in enterprise AI. The goal is to identify and understand the trends, and to identify what will help information professionals thrive going forward.

If you work with data or information, please take 15 minutes to contribute to this important research by responding to our survey before June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Responses will be treated confidentially and respondents can receive a complimentary copy of the report and be entered for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

We have to understand the patterns before we can devise solutions. Please also consider passing it along to colleagues outside AIIM. A broader sample produces better data and better answers for everyone. Complete the survey today.