Two big software firms say AI helpers only work on clean data

Two large software companies, ServiceNow and Snowflake, say the biggest lesson from using AI agents is simple: get your data in order first. Both firms are running these agents across their own operations. Their advice to other businesses is to clean up messy, scattered records before handing AI the controls.

What an AI agent is

An AI agent is software that takes actions for you. A chatbot answers a question. An agent can go further and do a task, such as updating a record or moving a request along. That power is why the quality of the information behind it matters so much.

Why data comes first

If an agent acts on wrong or scattered records, it can act wrongly. The companies' main point is that the data has to be fixed before the agent is given the keys. The source material does not say how either company cleaned its own data, which tasks its agents handle, or what results they saw.

Who it affects

Any business thinking about letting AI act on its behalf. That includes small firms that keep customer details in one tool, billing in another and stock counts in a spreadsheet.

What to do

• Check that customer records are accurate and current.
• Check that billing records match what you actually charged.
• Check that inventory counts are right.
• Bring those records into one place where you can.

What is not known yet

The full article was not available, so details are thin. There are no numbers on cost, time or results. It is also unclear which products each company uses for its agents.