Hello reader,

Enterprises are pouring billions into AI, convinced of its potential to transform industries. And they’re not wrong. Generative AI, agentic AI—these advancements are reshaping how businesses operate. But beneath the optimism, a fundamental roadblock remains: high-quality data is still out of reach for most enterprises.

A recent survey from Accenture revealed that while 97% see generative AI as a game-changing technology, nearly half say their organizations lack the high-quality data needed to make it work. That’s the real AI bottleneck. Enterprises aren’t struggling with compute or algorithms—they’re struggling with data. Not just access, but also trust, privacy, sovereignty and compliance. The most valuable datasets remain locked up, leaving AI initiatives starved of the very thing they need to thrive.

The solution isn’t to collect more public data or rely on low-fidelity alternatives—it’s to unlock what enterprises already have. Confidential AI is the missing piece. It enables businesses to use their most sensitive, high-value data for AI-driven decision-making, without compromising privacy or sovereignty.

That’s why we’re excited to be working with Accenture to push this forward. Their recent investment in OPAQUE—learn more about this news below!—isn’t just about scaling AI. It’s about making AI enterprise-ready. Through our collaboration, Accenture is integrating OPAQUE’s confidential AI platform into its AI Refinery and Trusted Data Services, ensuring businesses can deploy AI models that operate securely, within the regulatory frameworks that govern their industries.

Accenture has firmly established itself as the global leader in Generative AI implementations, with over $4.2 billion in GenAI deal bookings since 2023. In just two years, Accenture has delivered 2,000+ GenAI projects worldwide, scaling from $300M in FY23 to $3B+ in FY24, and continuing its momentum with $1.2B in GenAI deals in Q1 FY25 alone. This rapid adoption underscores how enterprises are moving beyond experimentation to full-scale AI transformation. (Stats on revenue and projects provided by OpenAI Deep Research and taken from public financial filings). 

The companies that win in AI won’t be the ones chasing the next model—they’ll be the ones who solve the data problem first. AI’s future isn’t just about intelligence; it’s about trust. And at OPAQUE, that’s what we’re here to deliver.

Let’s talk about how to put your data to work.

Aaron Fulkerson,
CEO of OPAQUE 

In the Lab

The Latest Happenings at Opaque Systems

Accenture Invests in OPAQUE to Advance Secure AI and Confidential Data Solutions
Accenture has made a strategic investment in OPAQUE through Accenture Ventures. "OPAQUE’s technology aligns perfectly with our vision for responsible innovation and will boost our focus on the adoption of confidential AI and bringing transformative solutions to market that enable organizations to harness the full power of data without compromising privacy," said Tom Lounibos, managing director at Accenture Ventures. Learn more about how Accenture is making a pivotal stride by investing in OPAQUE, in articles by Robots Rising and FinSMEs.

Whitepaper: OPAQUE vs. Data Clean Rooms: Advancing Confidential AI Computing for the Enterprise
Unlike traditional Data Clean Rooms (DCRs), OPAQUE enables secure AI and analytics on encrypted data—without ever exposing raw information. By leveraging confidential computing, enterprises can break through privacy barriers while unlocking full machine learning capabilities on shared data. Read our latest whitepaper to explore how leading industries—financial services, insurance, and high-tech—can go beyond the limits of legacy clean rooms.

Triangle Technology Innovators AI: Leaders Playbook Sponsored by OPAQUE
We’re excited to sponsor AI: Leaders Playbook, hosted by Triangle Technology Innovators—a must-attend event for aspiring and current IT leaders. Hear from experts at Google, Fidelity, and more as they share AI strategies, lessons learned, and how to navigate common pitfalls. Aaron Fulkerson is the featured speaker, alongside industry leaders. To connect with top tech innovators and gain actionable insights, join us on March 19 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in Raleigh. Request an invitation today and secure your spot!

Confidential Computing Summit 2025 Speakers Preview
Get ready for groundbreaking insights, with a preview of what’s ahead at Confidential Computing Summit 2025! Returning this year are Google’s Nelly Porter and Sam Lugani, who last year highlighted the critical need to safeguard AI training data and models, along with Microsoft Azure’s Mark Russinovich, who explored technology’s pitfalls and potential. Stay tuned for details on their 2025 sessions, along with the full speaker lineup. In the meantime, view the 2024 keynote presentations and register at the discounted Early Bird rate before it expires, tomorrow!

Code for Thought

Worthwhile Reads

🕵️‍♂️ Cybercrime has evolved into a highly structured industry. To stay ahead, companies need to rethink their cybersecurity strategies, focusing on identity security, cross-domain visibility, and real-time threat intelligence. An essential layer of protection, confidential AI ensures that sensitive data remains encrypted and secure, even in untrusted environments, making it a critical defense against increasingly sophisticated and targeted cyber threats.

☁️ Protecting cloud-based AI with confidential computing. Oppo announced it will use a secure cloud computing solution to protect user data, following Apple’s lead. This aligns with the original vision of confidential computing—enabling AI workloads in the cloud while preserving data privacy. However, to realize its full potential and achieve true security at scale requires more than just confidential computing-enabled VMs; it requires rigorous encryption and end-to-end remote attestation.

📊 Good data strategy is needed for GenAI. Without a solid data strategy, GenAI is ineffective for enterprises. The growth of GenAI initiatives has highlighted the critical importance of data quality, cleanliness, and strategy in ensuring AI success. Responsible AI, supported by strong data practices and confidential AI solutions, not only prevents errors but also offers a competitive advantage by building trust and enhancing brand reputation.