The Data Cloud Podcast From Analytics to Intelligence: BlackRock's Journey to Data Productization with David Woodhead, Head of Engineering for Aladdin Studio at BlackRock
Nov 11, 2025
David Woodhead, Head of Engineering for Aladdin Studio at BlackRock, shares insights on transforming BlackRock's data strategies. He discusses the evolution of the Aladdin platform from an analytics factory to an intelligence powerhouse powered by AI. Woodhead highlights the challenges of managing large-scale data distribution and the need for robust data governance. He also dives into the concept of democratizing data, expanding user access beyond traditional tools, and the importance of integrating AI seamlessly into products while maintaining explainability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Data At The Core Of Investment Intelligence
- Aladdin evolved from an analytics factory into an intelligence factory built on rich, centralized data.
- Data now directly drives investment decisions and differentiates BlackRock's outcomes.
Treat Governance As The First Priority
- Prioritize pristine regulatory and transactional data via governance and quality checks.
- Also enable fast onboarding of varied decision-driving data like satellite imagery or flight prices.
How Aladdin Studio Enables Client Innovation
- Aladdin Studio exposes Aladdin via APIs and Snowflake to let clients build, extend, and automate workflows.
- It provides sandboxes and developer tools so artifacts can be natively integrated into the investment process.