The Data Chief

Join Chris Bruman, Dow's Chief Data and Analytics Officer, and Dan Futter, the Chief Commercial Officer, as they discuss the revolution of data in business. They delve into the hub-and-spoke model for data management, emphasizing its ability to balance governance with agility. The integrated data hub is unveiled as a game-changer, reducing data analysis time dramatically. They also stress the importance of data literacy and collaboration in enhancing customer experiences, making data a cornerstone of successful modern business.

Bartley Richardson, CTO of NVIDIA AI agentic software, shares his expertise in AI and cybersecurity development. He discusses the transformative power of agentic AI in customer service and workplace efficiency. The challenges of managing diverse data formats are explored, with Bartley emphasizing the need for tailored AI solutions for specific business problems. He provides insights into the future of AI and the importance of data literacy, while also reflecting on his own journey and inspirations in the tech field.

Cindi Howson hosts a captivating discussion with Matt Turck, a Partner at FirstMark Capital, Steve Nouri, CEO of GenAI Works, and Joe Reis, data engineering expert and author. They delve into the generative AI revolution, highlighting its impact and opportunities for businesses. Ethical considerations and future data science roles take center stage with Steve's insights. Joe emphasizes the necessity of upskilling in data teams and the evolution of data architecture. They even venture into playful predictions about sports, including Kylian Mbappé's record-breaking potential!

Discover the shift from a data-driven to a value-driven approach that empowers organizations. Learn how building data literacy can unlock collective intelligence and foster innovation. Explore the intersection of AI and data strategy, highlighting the importance of clean data. Understand the crucial role of responsible AI in healthcare and the need for ethical governance. This discussion features thought leaders emphasizing collaboration and the human aspects of technology in achieving impactful results.

Marni Baker Stein, Coursera’s Chief Content Officer, has a rich background in online education. In this conversation, she explores the ripple effects of Generative AI on upskilling and the pressing need for emotional intelligence as technology transforms workplaces. Marni highlights alarming trends like the dramatic rise in demand for AI skills and the gender gap in tech education. She emphasizes the urgency for individuals to proactively pursue new skills, alongside the role of data in personalizing learning experiences for enhanced outcomes.

Deepak Jose, Vice President of Data Sciences & Business Intelligence at Niagara Bottling, discusses his career transition from mechanical engineer to data leader. He emphasizes the necessity of a business problem-first mindset over a data-first approach. Deepak shares insights on the evolving role of AI in business, advocating for adaptable strategies rather than rigid capabilities. He stresses the importance of empathy and collaboration in leadership to truly solve organizational challenges. Personal reflections highlight the significance of family and work-life balance.

Dr. Gary Marcus, a prominent AI scientist and industry critic, shares his insights on the shortcomings of current AI systems. He stresses the urgent need for AI regulation, likening its importance to immigration and financial policies. Marcus challenges the hype around AI capabilities, arguing that true understanding of human intelligence remains elusive. Additionally, he highlights the global AI race and the imperative for international cooperation to ensure ethical governance of AI technologies.

Jeremy Kahn, an AI history expert, shares insights on the lessons learned from the Turing Test and cautions against deskilling due to technology. Sol Rashidi highlights the challenges of AI implementation, emphasizing the need for cultural and relevancy ROI alongside financial metrics. Bernard Marr discusses making AI understandable for society, addressing its impact on jobs and personalization in healthcare. The trio reflects on the balance of harnessing technology while promoting human collaboration and resilience.

Mark Cuban, a renowned entrepreneur and investor, discusses his mission to bring transparency to the prescription drug industry through his Cost Plus Drugs initiative. He shares insights on utilizing data analytics to enhance sports performance and injury prevention. Cuban emphasizes the importance of making technology and AI education accessible to underprivileged children, fostering curiosity and diversity in tech talent. His enthusiasm for large language models highlights the endless possibilities for personal and professional growth in today's digital landscape.

Key Moments:Why is the data wrong? (6:00)Our products are our data (11:00)The true size of the data quality problem (14:00)Clean your data before you prioritize shiny new tools (26:00)The next frontier: GenAI and unstructured data (31:00)Key Quotes:“The data estate has changed significantly. But the way in which we manage data and data quality specifically has not adapted.” – Barr Moses“I tracked every single change in the data that I made, and could calculate how much money a company saved after a data cleanup. For a mid-size company, the difference was approximately a quarter of a billion dollars. For a large company, it could be several billion dollars. 45% of the data I cleaned had errors.” – Olga Maydanchik“The competitive advantage is really the access to your proprietary data that you have as an enterprise. So you need to make sure that that data is accurate, reliable, and on time. Now, how do you do that? That's something that people are still figuring out.”  – Barr MosesMentions:Information Quality Applied: Best Practices for Improving Business Information, Outcomes and Systems: Book by Larry EnglishThe Rest is History PodcastFreakonomics PodcastThe Matrix Film SeriesThe Play That Goes WrongBio: Barr Moses: Barr Moses is the CEO and Co-Founder of Monte Carlo, the data reliability company. Monte Carlo is the creator of the industry's first end-to-end Data Observability platform. She is also co-author of O'Reilly's Data Quality Fundamentals: Building Reliable Data Pipelines. Previously, she was VP Customer Operations at Gainsight, a management consultant at Bain & Company and served in the Israeli Air Force as a commander of an intelligence data analyst unit.Olga Maydanchik:Olga Maydanchik is a data governance, data quality, and data architecture thought leader and practitioner. She is an expert in design and implementation of enterprise-wide data management programs, who has led data quality efforts at Deutsche Bank, AIG, and at Citi. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.