AI performance is hindered by stale, fragmented data, which impacts decision-making and operational efficiency, leading to issues like slow fraud detection and irrelevant chatbot responses. The evolution of AI, from purpose-built models to generative and agentic AI, underscores the need for real-time data, as it enables more accurate predictions and autonomous, intelligent decisions. The 2025 Data Streaming Report highlights that data challenges, such as fragmented ownership, integration difficulties, and lack of real-time processing, significantly affect AI's effectiveness. A data streaming platform (DSP) is essential in addressing these challenges, allowing organizations to continuously stream, govern, and process data for immediate use across AI systems. By adopting DSPs, businesses can achieve faster AI adoption, increased innovation, and greater efficiency, with leading companies reporting rapid returns on investment and improved market readiness. The report also demonstrates that DSPs help overcome data barriers, providing real-time, trustworthy data, which is crucial for AI-driven decision-making and delivering business value.