The analyst revolution: Unlocking tomorrow’s AI initiatives

A new research report from Harris Poll x dbt Labs reveals what’s really happening inside data teams and the results might make you rethink how you work.

Analysts are expected to deliver insights faster than ever, but the tools and processes they rely on are holding them back.
AI promised to help, yet most teams are still buried in busywork, switching between tools, and working around governance barriers just to get things done.

This report, based on a survey of 510 analysts, uncovers what is really happening inside data teams:

• 78% of analyst time is spent on prep and validation, not analysis
• 54% use AI tools outside approved systems to move faster
• Teams lose 9.1 hours each week and $21,613 per analyst each year to inefficiency

The data reveals why analysts feel stuck between innovation and control, and what leading teams are doing to break that cycle.
If you are tired of spending more time fixing data than analyzing it, this report will show you what needs to change.