S5 | Ep 49 | AI Innovation; Succeed by Letting the Business Lead with Adrian Estala, Field Chief Data & AI Officer at Starburst

In Episode 49, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Adrian Estala, Field Chief Data & AI Officer at Starburst, where they discuss how to deliver successful AI innovation and transformation by letting 'the business' lead, which includes;

• Why we need to let business teams to lead AI innovation for meaningful transformation.
• How business-led approaches to AI translate into practical, real-world examples.
• The major differences that set AI apart from previous waves of technological business transformation like ERP, Cyber and Cloud.
• Why AI demands a fundamentally different approach compared to traditional IT-led transformations.
• How organisations are adapting to the rapid pace of change driven by AI advancements.
• Balancing the need for AI experimentation with the discipline of effective governance and control.
• Identifying high-impact AI use cases that deliver competitive advantage through targeted experimentation.
• Adapting delivery models and governance structures to meet accelerated AI project timelines.
• Why organisations need a (business) semantic layer in enabling faster and more responsible AI innovation.
• Why the era of migration is over and what that shift means for digital strategy.
• Rethinking data foundations to support AI-driven decision-making across the business.
• The concept of “big data, small agents” and its implications for the future of work.
• What will distinguish successful AI adopters from those who remain stuck in experimentation over the next 12 months.

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.