The Ravit Show

Clean data isn’t just nice to have — it’s the difference between insight and noise. At Databricks’ Data + AI Summit, I had a conversation with Sal Pecoraro about how Data Axle is helping enterprises make their data not just accessible, but actionable.We covered a lot of ground, including:- Their new presence on the Databricks Marketplace, and what that means for seamless access to high-quality, enriched datasets- Why data quality is central to any CDP initiative — and how it directly impacts customer understanding and segmentation- The move to first-party data strategies, and how companies can maximize the value of what they already own- The evolution of data marketplaces and why they’re becoming a key pillar in modern data architecture- Misconceptions around data enrichment, especially when it comes to scale and relevanceSal brought clear, grounded advice that any data leader should pay attention to. #data #ai #DataAISummit #databricks #dataaxle #agents #identity #theravitshow

Customer identity is more than a profile — it’s a foundation.I recently chatted with Marc Sabatini at Databricks’ Data + AI Summit to unpack why identity resolution is fast becoming the backbone of effective marketing strategies.Marc introduced me to the concept of the “Identity Spine” — a unified thread that connects all customer interactions and behaviors. In a world of rising privacy expectations and the fall of third-party cookies, this kind of consistency is more valuable than ever.We dug into:- How a strong Identity Spine helps unify customer data and drive real ROI- Why so many transformation projects stall, and what it takes to get them back on track- What it means to actually activate identity across an enterprise, not just store it- Emerging martech trends for the next 12–18 months — and how Data Axle is preparing for what’s nextGreat perspective from someone who’s seen the strategy behind the buzzwords. Watch the full interview here#data #ai #DataAISummit #databricks #dataaxle #agents #identity #theravitshow

Had a great conversation with Eric Pité, SVP of Product & Strategy at Posit PBC (formerly RStudio) on The Ravit Show, at the Data + AI Summit by Databricks.We talked about:-- The evolution from RStudio to PositIt’s more than just a name change — it’s a signal of how seriously they’re embracing Python while staying true to their R roots and open-source mission.-- Open source meets enterpriseEric shared how Posit is navigating the balance between community contribution and commercial sustainability — and why that mission still matters in an AI-first world.-- Positron + DatabricksTheir strategic partnership is one to watch. Positron is making it easier to do high-quality data science (in R and Python) inside the Databricks ecosystem — with an emphasis on collaboration, reproducibility, and performance.-- AI’s place in modern data scienceWe chatted about how Posit sees the role of AI in helping data teams be more productive — without losing rigor or transparency.-- The power of storytelling with codeOne of my favorite parts: the emphasis on communication. It’s not enough to build models — data scientists need to share insights clearly, and Posit is building for that.Big thanks to Eric for the thoughtful chat — and to the Posit team for continuing to push the boundaries of open, collaborative data science.#data #ai #DataAISummit #Databricks #cdata #agentic #connectors #theravitshow

Every year at Data + AI Summit, there’s a shift in energy — and this year, it’s clear: AI is in production, and the spotlight is finally on the data layer. Caught up with my friend Raj Bains, CEO & Co-Founder of Prophecy on The Ravit Show, to talk about what’s changed — and how their mission to combine self-service with governance is resonating more than ever.We covered:-- Why “democratizing AI” isn’t just a nice phrase — it requires a platform that prepares the room with the right guardrails-- Real-world traction with JPMC and Amgen — and how success turned into investment-- What it really takes to build a production-ready, governed data pipeline in under 10 minutes (hint: it's not just speed, it's control)-- Their early agentic AI features helping analysts find and transform data with smarter guidanceRaj also shared what’s changed in the past year — a clear push across customers to modernize, consolidate legacy tools, and go deeper with AI features.Lots of energy around Prophecy this year — and for good reason.#data #ai #DataAISummit #Databricks #prophecy #agentic #connectors #theravitshow

How do you modernize data management while keeping the reliability of the mainframe?This was the central theme of my conversation with Tomer Zelberzviq, Senior Product Manager at BMC Software. Mainframes have been the backbone of enterprise IT for decades, but today’s cloud-driven environment demands scalability, cyber resiliency, operational efficiency, and compliance at a whole new level.In this interview, Tomer and I discussed:-- Why modernization is still a major challenge for enterprises running on mainframes-- How technologies like Cloud Data Sets are changing the game for security, resilience, and cost efficiency-- Strategies to protect mainframe data against ransomware and cyber threats-- How to make mainframe data accessible for AI and analytics, eliminating silos without disrupting core systemsThis session goes beyond buzzwords. It’s about real solutions that help enterprises bridge legacy reliability with modern innovation.#data #ai #mainframes #bmc #theravitshow

I caught up with Rahul Pahuja from CData Software to dive into how they’re helping enterprises unlock more value from their data inside Databricks — especially as companies push harder into AI and agentic workloads.Here’s what stood out from our conversation:🔹 Enhancing the Lakehouse for AIWhile Databricks positions itself as the Lakehouse for AI, Rahul shared how CData extends its reach by connecting Databricks to hundreds of live data sources — no heavy pipelines, no data duplication. That’s a game-changer for teams needing immediate access to siloed enterprise data.🔹 Activating the 70% of underutilized dataWith a large chunk of enterprise data still going unused for analytics, CData is stepping in to make that data accessible and actionable — all within the Databricks environment. It’s not just about integration, but about activation.🔹 Accelerating agentic workloadsWe also discussed the rise of agent-based systems. Rahul explained how CData helps feed real-time, dynamic data into these AI agents, allowing them to act and respond faster — and with better context — inside Databricks.🔹 Real-world tractionFrom major enterprises slashing integration timelines to faster AI-driven outcomes, Rahul shared success stories that really bring their value to life. The numbers were compelling.If Databricks is your AI foundation, CData could be the unlock to power it with all your enterprise data — fast.Appreciate the insights, Rahul — and hats off to the CData team!#data #ai #DataAISummit #Databricks #cdata #agentic #connectors #theravitshow

Spoke with Amit Sharma, CEO of CData Software, at the Data + AI Summit on The Ravit Show, and we dove into a critical but often overlooked topic: data connectivity for AI agents. With the rise of agentic AI, the old ways of integrating data just don’t cut it. Amit broke down why real-time, context-aware access is now a must — and how CData is helping lead that shift.We talked about:-- The Model Context Protocol (MCP) — a powerful new way to serve up enterprise data to LLMs and agents without building brittle pipelines-- Why CData’s approach to live connectivity is a better fit for GenAI use cases than traditional ETL-- Where agents are being adopted first, based on early traction with their MCP servers-- And the biggest misconception he sees: thinking that LLMs can work well without solving the data access problem firstIf you’re thinking about scaling AI agents across your enterprise, this conversation is worth a listen.#data #ai #DataAISummit #Databricks #cdata #agentic #connectors #theravitshow

What does it really mean to be “agentic-ready”? On The Ravit Show, I had an insightful conversation with Aakarsh Kishore, Chief Product Officer at MathCo, at the Data + AI Summit, and we unpacked what that looks like in practice.We explored:-- Contextual solutions — and why understanding enterprise context is key to building AI agents that actually deliver value-- The concept of a “supercharged brain” — MathCo’s vision for decision intelligence that goes beyond dashboards and reports-- NucliOS — MathCo’s AI decisioning platform that plugs into the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to help enterprises scale decision-making across teamsAakarsh also shared how the MathCo + Databricks partnership is shaping real-world use cases — and how they’re thinking about AI that’s both scalable and deeply enterprise-aware.#data #ai #databricks #DataAISummit #theravitshow

I had a great conversation with Steven Touw, CTO of Immuta, at the Databricks Data + AI Summit — diving deep into one of the most overlooked challenges in scaling AI: data access.We started with a key question — why are traditional request-and-approve workflows no longer working for modern data teams?Steve broke it down: with more users, more data sources, and faster decision cycles, manual processes create friction, slow teams down, and often lead to over-permissioning or shadow access.We explored how policy-based access control is emerging as the scalable, secure alternative — automating who gets access to what, under which conditions, in real time.Steve also shared how Immuta is helping enterprises balance flexibility and control — enabling faster AI development without compromising on governance, compliance, or data privacy.This shift in thinking is critical for any company looking to unlock the full value of their data while keeping it safe.Appreciate the insights, Steve!!!!#data #ai #DataAISummit #Databricks #immuta #agentic #connectors #theravitshow

GenAI didn’t just change how we work — it changed who has access to data. I sat with with Matthew Carroll, CEO of Immuta, at Data + AI Summit by Databricks, and we talked about one of the biggest shifts happening in data right now: everyone in the org is suddenly a data user — whether governance teams are ready for it or not.We covered:- How to scale governance without becoming a blocker- What happens when a marketing manager can chat with a database in plain English — and how to keep control without killing the magic- Why writing one-off policies for each GenAI use case is a fast path to chaos- And the real difference between self-service with guardrails vs just opening the floodgatesMatt had strong views on where policy management needs to go — and how Immuta is helping orgs strike the right balance between agility and accountability.Always a blast hosting, Matthew Carroll on The Ravit Show!!!!#data #ai #datasecurity #immuta #theravitshow