

How to be a CDO in the age of AI
10 snips Jun 4, 2025
Justin Heller, Chief Data Officer at Synchrony Financial and editor for CDO magazine, shares insights from his decade-long journey in data leadership. He discusses how his backgrounds in political science and game theory influence strategic thinking in data strategy. Notably, he emphasizes the ethical dimensions of AI, advocating for a 'human in the loop' approach. Heller also highlights the importance of cultivating a strong organizational culture and aligning data quality with business value, ensuring governance supports rather than stifles innovation.
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Game Theory Shapes Data Strategy
- Justin Heller applies game theory and political science concepts to data strategy, focusing on outcomes and value for individuals.
- His team emphasizes understanding what people want to achieve and aligning data initiatives to show what's in it for them.
Culture as Social Contract
- Foster culture through social contracts like company values and policies that define behavior.
- Promote honesty, drive, execution, and collaboration for shared organizational goals.
AI Enhances, Doesn't Replace Humans
- AI won't replace humans but will enable greater efficiency and process scaling.
- A 'human in the loop' remains crucial for validation to ensure quality control.