Singapore, February 24, 2025 — Alteryx, Inc., a leading AI-driven enterprise analytics platform, has released a new report examining the shifting role of data analysts amid the rapid adoption of AI and analytics automation. The study, “The 2025 State of Data Analysts in the Age of AI,” surveyed 1,400 global analysts across five industries—including data, IT, and operations—to assess how AI is reshaping their responsibilities. The findings suggest a growing strategic role for analysts, marking a transformation in traditional data practices.
Key Insights from the Report:
- AI enhances efficiency: 70% of analysts say AI and analytics automation improve their productivity.
- Spreadsheet reliance persists: Despite AI advancements, 76% of analysts still rely on spreadsheets for data preparation.
- Strategic influence is growing: 94% of analysts believe their role directly impacts business decisions, and 87% report an increase in their influence over the past year.
- Optimism for AI-driven career growth: While 90% of analysts see AI as an enabler for career advancement, only 17% are concerned about job displacement.
While AI is streamlining workflows and making analysts more strategic, the report highlights a continued reliance on spreadsheets, with 45% of analysts still spending over six hours per week on data cleaning and preparation. This dependency on manual processes not only slows down efficiency but also raises concerns about data accuracy, a critical factor for AI-driven decision-making.
Despite this, analysts remain optimistic about AI’s impact on their careers, with 48% expecting significant career growth opportunities as AI adoption increases. Compared to a similar 2024 survey of IT and data leaders, where 65% expressed concern that AI would replace jobs, analysts in this study appear far more confident about AI’s role as a career enabler.
“For data analysts, the results are crystal clear,” said Jay Henderson, SVP of Product at Alteryx. “Leveraging AI as an everyday tool has boosted job satisfaction and reclaimed valuable hours for analysts. For organizations, the challenge is to optimize these productivity gains. This involves building a tech stack to manage advanced AI applications effectively. Plans to implement AI across workforces must go hand in hand with providing data workers the tools that consistently validate confidence in AI outputs. A strong starting point is determining whether your data preparation capabilities can meet these shifting demands.”
For a deeper dive into these insights, download the full report “The 2025 State of Data Analysts in the Age of AI” from Alteryx.
