There is no such thing as an AI initiative or project that doesn't involve data. AI systems depend on structured, semi-structured and unstructured data for development, tasks, and training models. For projects to be successful, you need professionals who understand how to manage and leverage data and have the proven ability to do so.
Recent research from AIIM, in collaboration with M-Files and Deep Analysis, reveals a striking statistic: 77.4% of businesses are at least experimenting with AI.
Yet despite the enthusiasm, many organizations are navigating this technological frontier without the proper expertise to ensure their AI implementations are built on solid information management foundations.
The "Market Momentum Index: AI and Unstructured Data Management" report highlights something surprising. While media headlines often focus on AI "hallucinations," real-world enterprises have different concerns. The survey respondents cited security and access compliance (43%) and performance and accuracy (40%) as the biggest factors preventing effective AI utilization.
The "AIIM State of the Intelligent information Management Practice" report found that data quality is a significant hurdle for organizations looking to implement artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications. The majority of respondents (77%) rated their organizational data as either average, poor, or very poor in terms of quality and readiness for AI.
These findings reveal a critical truth: successful AI implementation isn't just about algorithms and models—it's fundamentally about information management.
This is where the Certified Information Professional (CIP) becomes invaluable. The CIP certification validates a professional's ability to align business strategies with information governance principles—precisely the skills needed to address the primary AI implementation challenges.
Let's map how the CIP exam blueprint directly addresses key AI implementation requirements:
AI systems are only as good as the information they consume. CIPs understand:
These skills ensure AI systems access complete, accurate, and properly formatted information—reducing the "garbage in, garbage out" problem that plagues many AI implementations.
This domain directly addresses AI's core function. CIPs are trained in:
With this expertise, CIPs can help organizations enhance their AI's ability to derive meaningful patterns and insights from vast information repositories.
AI implementation often involves process transformation. CIPs understand:
These competencies help organizations identify which processes are most suitable for AI enhancement and how to implement them for maximum business impact.
This addresses the #1 concern cited in our research. CIPs are experts in:
With 43% of organizations citing security and compliance as their primary AI implementation concern, having a CIP on the team directly addresses this challenge.
AI is fundamentally an information management solution. CIPs understand:
These skills help organizations approach AI not as a technological experiment but as a strategic information management initiative with clearly defined outcomes.
As our research shows, organizations are rapidly moving toward AI adoption, but many lack the information management expertise to address their primary concerns. By including a Certified Information Professional on your AI implementation team, you bridge the gap between technical possibility and business reality.
CIPs bring a holistic understanding of how information flows through your organization—knowledge that's essential for developing AI solutions that are not only powerful but also secure, compliant, and aligned with business objectives.
Ready to add this valuable credential to your team or enhance your own professional profile? AIIM is hosting a specialized virtual workshop to prepare information professionals for CIP certification:
The Certified Information Professional (CIP) Accelerated Virtual Prep Workshop is a 6-hour training workshop on June 16, 17, 18, 2025 (2:00-4:00 PM ET each day). Register now.
Held via Microsoft Teams, this intensive course condenses key exam content into three focused sessions, equipping you with the knowledge, confidence, and test-taking strategies to achieve CIP certification success. This is a small-group program to ensure participants get individualized attention and an opportunity to network with peers.
What You'll Learn:
Who Should Attend:
This special workshop is led by Jesse Wilkins, CIP, CIPP/US, CIPM, IGP, CRM, CIGO, ICE-CCP. Jesse is an AIIM Fellow and has worked in the information management industry for nearly 30 years as an end user, vendor, consultant, and trainer.
As AI continues to transform organizations, having certified professionals who understand the critical intersection of information, processes, and technology will be the difference between experimental AI and transformational AI.