The Data Chief

Cameron Davies, Chief Data Officer at Yum! Brands and former analytics leader at Disney and NBCUniversal, dives into the innovative use of data and AI in the restaurant industry. He emphasizes starting with business problems rather than tech, balancing global scalability with local needs, and the essence of embedding AI literacy throughout the organization. Cameron also highlights Yum!'s partnership with NVIDIA to drive innovation and the importance of change management in AI adoption, ensuring that transformation truly begins with people.

Vedran Karamani, a seasoned data and AI leader at Alghanim Industries, dives into the transformative power of AI in the Middle East. He discusses the importance of AI literacy in the boardroom, using relatable metaphors to educate executives. Vedran emphasizes that not all businesses are ready for AI and outlines the need for change management. He also highlights how data quality will become the key competitive edge as algorithms become commoditized. Finally, Vedran shares insights on local talent development and the region's ambition for innovation.

Ilan Twigg, co-founder and CTO of Navan, an AI-first platform for travel and expense management, discusses transformative AI technologies. He underscores the revolutionary potential of large language models, likening them to the impact of the mouse on computing. Ilan envisions a future where AI services communicate seamlessly to eliminate administrative tasks. He also explores the critical decision of whether to build AI from scratch or partner with existing solutions, advocating for a fresh mindset to embrace innovation.

Moe Kiss, Director of Data Science in Marketing at Canva, discusses merging creativity with data for impactful marketing. She emphasizes the importance of data storytelling, transforming analytics into engaging narratives that drive decisions. Moe uses a cooking analogy to explain how data should be a core ingredient in decision-making. She advocates for ongoing technical fluency in the AI era to vet outputs and maintain data quality. Plus, learn how AI democratizes data access while requiring strong foundational trust.

Join Geoff Woods, an AI leadership expert and author, as he emphasizes the importance of viewing AI as a strategic partner. Wendy Batchelder, former CDO, transforms data governance from a bureaucratic burden into a business accelerator by focusing on measurable outcomes. Meanwhile, Malcolm Hawker, a passionate CDO, champions customer-driven data practices and urges leaders to adopt a hero's mindset amid challenges. Together, they explore how to effectively lead data and AI initiatives in today's dynamic landscape.

Karen Stroup, Chief Digital Officer at WEX, shares her innovative approach to leadership amidst the complexities of AI. She emphasizes prioritizing customer problems over technology hype, believing that clarity fosters confidence. Stroup discusses the importance of the human side of data and explains her use of "two-way door decisions" to manage tech changes effectively. She envisions a future where dashboards become mere backdrops, as interactive experiences take center stage, revolutionizing user engagement.

Ketan Karkhanis, CEO of ThoughtSpot and former EVP at Salesforce, dives into the future of analytics. He champions the idea that AI is revolutionizing business intelligence, predicting an 'upgrade super cycle' that will leave traditional tools behind. Karkhanis envisions AI as the future interface, blending data for enhanced user insights. He stresses the importance of a culture of trust and experimentation, urging leaders not to let perfection hinder progress. Training teams effectively is crucial as organizations embrace these technological shifts.

Vanja Josifovski, Co-Founder and CEO of Kumo.AI, previously served as CTO at Airbnb and Pinterest. He dives into how data is reshaping innovation, emphasizing the importance of being a 'data-forward organization.' Dr. Vanja reveals the power of relational foundation models in predictive AI, simplifying traditional processes. He discusses the criticality of integration speed as a competitive advantage and encourages leaders to embrace new technologies that offer significant enhancements, urging a shift away from outdated systems.

Anand Iyer, the Senior VP and Chief Data Officer at Ecolab, dives deep into the transformative power of AI in business. He emphasizes a 'Value First Mindset,' ensuring AI projects yield measurable financial impacts. Iyer warns that 'garbage in, disaster out' has become a stark reality in AI, highlighting the critical need for quality data. Self-service analytics with AI is explored as a game changer for empowering non-tech users. Iyer's engineering mindset approach prioritizes understanding problems before solutions, aligning data strategy with company goals.

Join Noelle Russell, CEO of the AI Leadership Institute and author of Scaling Responsible AI. Noelle reflects on her beginnings with Jeff Bezos and the early Alexa team, sharing the importance of passion in her AI journey. She discusses her 'I Love AI' community, a safe space aiding over 3.4 million learners. The 'baby tiger' analogy illustrates the thrilling yet cautious journey of AI development. Noelle promotes empathy and responsible practices in AI, emphasizing collaboration and the impact of diverse perspectives in the tech landscape.