Government and education leaders anticipate a 59% increase in data volume over the next three years, presenting challenges in effectively storing, accessing, and using data to achieve mission goals. A global study by Elastic and ThoughtLab found that the public sector ranks lowest in "data maturity," highlighting difficulties in managing large data volumes due to storage requirements like M-21-31 in the US, accessing historical data, and overcoming data silos for optimal utilization. The study suggests that integrating internal data with AI, particularly generative AI and large language models, can enhance data relevance and personalization, while a unified data strategy can improve efficiency and cybersecurity without adding new vendors. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that data and analytics could generate $1.2 trillion annually in value for the public sector, emphasizing the importance of reducing data silos and making data actionable to improve customer experiences, employee productivity, and revenue.