1、Unifying Data Protection and AI Innovation 2026 Report Foreword Over the past year,organizations have been strengthening their foundations to apply data security and governance controls to new AI apps and agents.The rise of generative AI(GenAI)is reshaping how work gets done.According to the 2025 Wo

2、rk Trends Index,the majority of global knowledge workers surveyed report using AI,and more than 70%say they are bringing their own AI tools to work1highlighting a growing trend in AI adoption.But it has also introduced new urgency:visibility,governance,and protection of data are now essential prereq

3、uisites for safe and responsible innovation.In this third edition of the Data Security Index,we explore how generative AI is reshaping data security.Security leaders need a unified view of their data to adopt AI responsibly.In response,organizations are moving beyond fragmented tools toward integrat

4、ed platforms that deliver continuous visibility and consistent protectionmaking security and innovation inseparable.To adopt AI confidently,organizations must first establish a unified understanding of their data:where it resides,who can access it,and how its protected.Fragmented tools and siloed co

5、ntrols are giving way to the goal of integrated platforms that provide continuous visibility and consistent protection across environments.At Microsoft,we believe that visibility,actionability,and integration are key to unlocking the full potential of AI,facilitated by a unified data security strate

6、gy.Integrated solutions that bring together visibility,protection,detection,and investigation capabilities make it possible to scale securely while minimizing complexity.These capabilities not only help detect and mitigate data risks but also enable organizations to embrace AI responsibly and accele