S5 | Ep 47 | AI Readiness: What Comes Next for Data Teams and Their Careers with Mike Leverington, Senior Director of Data & Analytics at SkyScanner

In Episode 47, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Mike Leverington, Senior Director of Data & Analytics at Skyscanner, where they discuss the evolving landscape of data analytics in the era of AI, which includes;

• How AI and GenAI are transforming not only the way we work but the way we think, impacting creativity and originality across the workforce.
• Why the decline of junior and entry-level data roles is reshaping the traditional career ladder in data.
• The societal and ethical implications of AI-driven workforce changes.
• How the automation of foundational work could affect how the next generation of data professionals learn and develop.
• How leaders can strike the right balance between “future-fitting” now and managing the risks of waiting.
• The implications of AI becoming a key trainer of the workforce, and what that means for learning, upskilling, and talent development.
• The potential risks smaller businesses face in the AI race against well-funded competitors.
• Whether the industry is over-talking “data value” and what that means for real business impact.
• Why a persistent gap remains between how data teams define value and what executives actually care about.
• The lessons from the “bold claims” era when inflated ROI promises were needed to secure investment.
• How organisations can hedge their bets in a rapidly shifting AI landscape.
• What an “AI-ready culture” truly looks like and why it matters for long-term success.

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.