Data Democratization: Stories about data, AI and privacy

AI democratization sounds great in theory, but why do so many enterprises struggle to make it work? In this episode, Ari Kaplan, Head of Tech Evangelism at Databricks, breaks down the biggest roadblocks to scaling AI—and what’s needed to overcome them. From data intelligence and synthetic data to why leading enterprises rely on unified data and analytics Platforms to cut costs, reduce governance complexity, and streamline AI adoption—we explore how organizations can move beyond AI pilot purgatory and use AI to drive tangible impact at scale.Ari dives into the hard truths about AI implementation, including why companies still face governance hurdles, siloed data, and inefficient infrastructure. Ari and I discuss how organizations can get more value from their data, deploy AI responsibly, and use synthetic data to scale securely.Plus, Ari shares his personal approach to balancing a global career, thought leadership, and content creation—including how he manages to make time for writing books while advising enterprises worldwide. We also discuss his take on social media strategy, the skills he’s encouraging his kids to develop for an AI-driven world, and the future of work in an era of intelligent automation.If you care about AI democratization, enterprise AI strategy, and staying ahead of the curve, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

For the 50th episode of the Data Democratization Podcast, I sat down with Anna Lishchenko, Data & Analytics for Business Platform Lead at Erste Group. As a true champion of data democratization, Anna shares invaluable insights into how to make data widely accessible, actionable, and impactful across a large, decentralized organization.💡 What you'll learn:The essential elements of building a data-driven culture, including data literacy, governance, and community building.Laying the foundation for success: How to align data and AI initiatives with business goals and secure buy-in from key stakeholders.Breaking barriers to experimentation: Using synthetic data to democratize access and accelerate innovation.Bridging silos: Connecting business and technical teams to drive collaboration and create real impact.Scaling AI and data initiatives: Turning one-off projects into sustainable enterprise-wide strategies.Whether you're just starting on your AI journey or scaling data initiatives, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical advice. Don’t miss this engaging conversation about the status-quo and the future of data democratization!

In episode 2 of the new season, Alexandra Ebert chats with Daragh Morrissey, Microsoft’s Director of AI for Worldwide Financial Services, recorded live at Money2020 US. Daragh offers a global perspective on AI adoption in financial services, highlighting unique strategies and challenges faced by institutions worldwide. He explains why Canada and Australia stand out in AI progress and why succeeding with Gen AI requires financial institutions to shift from over-strategizing to focusing on tangible outcomes.Daragh also shares insights on impactful AI applications in financial services, from automating contact centers to upselling, enhancing customer relationships, and modernizing legacy code. Lastly, Alexandra and Daragh take a look at the future of work and the role autonomous agents might play. They also debate whether AI will free up advisors time and whether, as a result, banks will have many more human advisors, or if the future of personalized banking will be more automated, yet transformative in enhancing individual financial health and fostering greater inclusivity. Daragh’s compelling anecdotes and strategic insights make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in AI’s future in financial services.Table of Contents:0:00 - 2:39 Introduction to the Episode and Guest2:39 - 4:42 Daragh's Role and Microsoft's AI Approach in Financial Services4:42 - 6:37 Patterns in Successful AI Adoption Globally6:37 - 8:20 Gen AI Adoption: Early Success Stories and Lessons Learned8:20 - 10:59 Overcoming Challenges: Moving Beyond Perfectionism in AI Projects10:59 - 12:14 The Shift in Financial Services AI Use Cases12:14 - 14:36 Regional Differences in AI Approaches in Financial Services14:36 - 17:55 AI Use Cases in Financial Services: From Advisors to Autonomous Agents17:55 - 20:00 Ethical Challenges and Responsible AI in Financial Services20:00 - 23:25 The Future of Financial Services AI: Customer Relationship Innovations23:25 - 27:32 Expanding Financial Inclusion with AI and Responsible AI Practices27:32 - 29:41 Closing Thoughts on AI’s Impact on Financial Services

Welcome back to Season 4 of the Data Democratization Podcast! In the 1st episode of the new season, Alexandra Ebert sat down with Malcolm DeMayo, NVIDIA's VP of Global Financial Services, live at Money2020 US to dive into what it takes for financial services organizations to succeed with data and AI at scale. Malcolm shares insights on using data as a true differentiator, why Responsible AI practices are more important than ever, and how modern privacy-enhancing technologies - like federated learning and synthetic data - help tackle common data challenges. He also sheds light on how Gen AI is impacting talent and the surprising ways AI assistants might help organizations counteract the negative effects of employee churn. And, of course, Alexandra asks Malcolm for his vision for the future of AI in financial services. Check out other episodes of the Data Democratization Podcast for more stories about data, privacy, responsible AI and how to do data democratization well.

Explore practical insights into developing effective data strategies with Maritza Curry on the importance of data management, governance, and communication. Learn about evolving AI strategies, navigating challenges of metadata management, effective communication with executives, and the significance of business literacy in AI and data initiatives.

In the 46th episode of the Data Democratization Podcast, host Alexandra Ebert is talking to Wolfgang Weidinger, AI, Data Science, and Analytics Coordinator at Generali Insurance, Austria, and Chairman Of The Board at the Vienna Data Science Group. Wolfgang is a seasoned data scientist with tons of experience managing AI, data science, and analytics projects. The episode covers a wide range of topics, offering actionable tips for those looking to deploy AI models in large organizations:selecting the right tools for AI projects,the adoption of AI in various industries,the significance of soft skills, collaboration, and domain knowledge,the organizational role of the data scientist,how to bridge the gap between business and technology.If you would like to learn more about data science and AI in practice, we recommend The Handbook of Data Science and AI - Generate Value from Data with Machine Learning and Data Analytics, co-authored by Wolfgang. If you are in Vienna, Austria, follow the Vienna Data Science Group for great meetups and opportunities to connect with the local data science community!

In this episode of the Data Democratization Podcast, host Alexandra Ebert, Chief Trust Officer at MOSTLY AI, sits down with Caroline Louveaux, Chief Privacy & Data Responsibility Officer at Mastercard, to explore the evolving landscape of data privacy and AI governance. Caroline shares her insights on topics ranging from privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) to data for social impact. Here is what you'll learn:How to be successful in today's data and AI ecosystem,What is the role of the Chief Data Responsibility Officer,How to set up your organization for compliance with the 'alphabet soup of EU regulations',How to make compliance loveable,What's needed on the regulatory side,How to enable AI innovation,What is an AI governance framework, and how to make it work?How can privacy pros prepare for AI?How can privacy-enhancing technologies facilitate AI innovation?Why is automation so important?Can data and AI positively impact society?Dive into this conversation to better understand the importance of data governance and responsible data usage in the digital age. 

Jo Cornelissen, DataCamp CEO, and Maggie Remynse, DataCamp VP of Curriculum, discuss the significance of data and AI literacy, the impact of data on organizations and individuals, the importance of passionate individuals in driving AI and data initiatives, the significance of data literacy in hiring data experts, the potential of AI to revolutionize education, and the excitement for DataCamp's upcoming AI and Data Literacy Month.

Sulabh Agarwal, Accenture's Global Head of Payments, discusses the changing landscape of the payments industry and the role of technology in driving innovation. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, security, personalization, and disruptive technologies for the future of payments. The podcast also explores the application of generative AI in heavily regulated industries, overcoming resistance to change in financial institutions, personalization in the payment space, and leveraging customer behavior data for sustainable financial decisions.

In this episode, we are joined by our esteemed guest, Dr. Meshari Alwashmi, a prominent Digital Health Scientist whose expertise spans not only extensive research but also a successful track record as a serial entrepreneur and trusted advisor to digital health initiatives.Prepare to be enlightened as we uncover the latest trends and advancements propelling the digital health industry forward. Discover the remarkable potential for progress and the direction in which this dynamic industry is heading. Moreover, we will delve into the invaluable contributions that synthetic data in healthcare can make to this ongoing revolution.This episode offers much more than just a glimpse into the future of digital health. Tune in for actionable advice that will guide your organization toward embracing innovation and achieving success in the realm of digital health.