In 2024, data integration emerged as a cornerstone of enterprise success, driven by the rising adoption of AI-powered use cases, such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) for enterprise data. These applications require access to clean, accurate, up-to-date data from across the organization, cementing the role of integration tools as a strategic necessity. Companies are leveraging AI for real-time insights, decision-making, and personalized experiences, and the demand for sophisticated data integration solutions has never been higher. This has laid the groundwork for what’s to come:  a transformation in how data is managed and leveraged at scale.

Looking ahead to 2025, AI will not just be a catalyst for new types of end-user applications—it will become a game-changer for the tools that underpin modern data ecosystems. Data integration platforms embed AI capabilities to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and unlock new possibilities for data teams. From querying in natural language to recommending data transformations, these advances will reshape the way data teams operate. The integration of AI within the data stack will revolutionize data engineering, reduce bottlenecks, and support the hard work of data teams to deliver faster, more reliable insights. 

Here are five ways we believe AI will shape the future of data integration and data teams in 2025.

• Prediction 1. AI becomes an enabler of trust and governance. AI adoption has been slowed by data privacy and governance concerns. In 2025, however, we see data teams flipping the script. AI will become a powerful ally in enhancing visibility and improving an organization’s governance and compliance posture. AI will be intelligently leveraged to resolve conflicts across datasets and automatically produce and update documentation for dynamic data pipelines. This shift won’t just build trust—it will accelerate the availability of high-quality, compliant data, unlocking its full potential to drive transformative analytics and AI initiatives.
• Prediction 2. Productivity gains from AI will be measured and reported on by IT leaders. GitHub Copilot reports that developers complete tasks 55% faster with its help. Yet, until now, these gains have largely gone unquantified when it comes to data integration. That’s set to change in 2025 as IT leaders face growing pressure to measure the ROI of their AI investments. Armed with hard metrics, organizations will shed light on the true impact of AI on data integration productivity. The findings? Expect them to be nothing short of transformative, revealing just how much AI is revolutionizing the way we work - in data integration and beyond.
• Prediction 3. The clock strikes noon on shadow IT. Business users and data experts used to be faced with a choice: select “legit” central data team tools or get the job done with whatever data prep tools were on hand. This has led to siloed, ungoverned processes that hold back the adoption of cloud data platforms. AI-enabled tools will bridge the gap and let business users share the same platform as their data engineering counterparts. This will finally close the door on the practice of “shadow IT,” while simultaneously enabling organizations to “shift left” data management responsibilities.
• Prediction 4. Buyers look to consolidate stacks. A new generation of platforms beyond the modern data stack is taking shape. These applications are AI enabled, context aware, and focused on automating workflows with agents and copilots. As a result, data capabilities will merge and buyers will look for tools to overcome the fragmented landscape and fully leverage their cloud data platforms.
• Prediction 5. Data and Analytics becomes “the tail that wags the dog.”  In 2025, the focus on building a strong data foundation will continue. More IT spending driven by the desire to get more value from data and analytics is now a driving rather than supporting factor in IT planning. According to IDC “By 2028, 60% of chief data and analytics officers in G2000 companies will rival the CIO in terms of influence on enterprise spending in technology.”

It’s impossible not to feel a sense of excitement and optimism about how AI will continue to transform the way we work. From streamlining data integration to unlocking entirely new possibilities for collaboration and innovation, AI is becoming an essential part of every data team’s toolkit. At the heart of this transformation is the growing importance of AI-driven data management tools, empowering teams to work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence.

To our customers and partners—including our valued collaboration with Databricks—we are deeply grateful for your trust and support. Your feedback and partnership fuel our innovation and inspire us to deliver solutions that make a difference. Together, we’re shaping a future where AI doesn’t just enhance productivity but fundamentally redefines what’s possible. We look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2025 and beyond!

How will 2025 unfold for you? To kick off the new year, the Prophecy is jumping into action with a 3 Steps to Break Free from ETL webinar on January 23. Join us and let us know what you think.