Once the topic of dystopian science fiction, artificial intelligence (AI) is now an integral part of our world. From the algorithms that predict what we want to watch on TV streaming services to the fraud detection systems our banks use to identify card fraud, machine learning impacts our everyday lives. And with virtual assistants and smart homes increasing in popularity, the role of AI is continually growing. The pace of development within AI is rapid, and investment is strong, with spend in Western Europe expected to reach $1.5 billion this year, according to a new IDC guide. The technology can process vast volumes of information – from location signals to behavioural data – and can learn from the insights the data provides to adapt its actions, however, AI is only as good as the data that powers it.