What's New In Data

Sol Rashidi has built AI, data, and digital strategies inside some of the world’s biggest companies—and she’s seen the same mistakes play out again and again. In this episode, she unpacks why AI initiatives often stall, how executives misread what “transformation” really requires, and why the future of AI success isn’t technical—it’s cultural. If you think AI is just a tech problem, Sol is here to change your mind.Follow Sol's work:LinkedInYour AI Survival Guide by Sol RashidiWhat's New In Data is a data thought leadership series hosted by John Kutay who leads data and products at Striim. What's New In Data hosts industry practitioners to discuss latest trends, common patterns for real world data patterns, and analytics success stories.

Spencer Cook, Lead Solutions Architect at Databricks, helps financial services leverage cloud solutions for real-world challenges. He discusses the journey from data hype to practical AI, focusing on real-time data pipelines and vector search. Spencer elaborates on how to minimize AI hallucinations while maximizing business value through clean data governance. The conversation highlights innovations like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) for AI accuracy, and the critical role of data management in ensuring effective LLM deployment and customer experience.

Peter Laflin, Chief Data Officer at Morrisons, shares how his team turned customer confusion into a cutting-edge vector search experience—bridging physical retail with AI-powered search. He and John Kutay dive into the practical challenges of implementing LLMs and real-time data pipelines at scale, the importance of starting with actual customer problems, and why the best engineering feels a little lazy (on purpose). A real-world look at what happens when modern search meets supermarket shelves.What's New In Data is a data thought leadership series hosted by John Kutay who leads data and products at Striim. What's New In Data hosts industry practitioners to discuss latest trends, common patterns for real world data patterns, and analytics success stories.

Alok Pareek, Co-founder and EVP of Products at Striim, joins What’s New in Data to dive into the game-changing innovations in Striim’s latest release. We explore how real-time data streaming is transforming analytics, operations, and decision-making across industries. Alok breaks down the challenges of building reliable, low-latency data pipelines and shares how Striim’s newest advancements help businesses process and act on data faster than ever. From cloud adoption to AI-driven insights, we discuss what’s next for streaming-first architectures and why the shift to real-time data is more critical than ever.Learn more about our latest release on Striim's Release Highlight page.What's New In Data is a data thought leadership series hosted by John Kutay who leads data and products at Striim. What's New In Data hosts industry practitioners to discuss latest trends, common patterns for real world data patterns, and analytics success stories.

Marc Brooker, VP and Distinguished Engineer for Databases at AWS, dives into the world of Distributed SQL (DSQL) and its innovative serverless architecture. He explains how DSQL is reshaping cloud databases by balancing consistency, availability, and scalability, eliminating traditional hassles. Brooker shares insights on enhancing distributed systems with EC2 clock synchronization, achieving consistency in multi-region databases, and the exciting integration of AI with serverless technologies, all while setting new standards in high-performance cloud computing.

In this engaging discussion, Andy Pavlo, an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, explores the dynamic landscape of databases. He delves into the distinctions between OLTP and OLAP systems and discusses the unique challenges of distributed databases. Pavlo highlights the innovative rise of vector databases and how they integrate with AI, emphasizing their capabilities for similarity searches. The conversation also touches on the evolution of data formats and the importance of clean data in modern analytics, making it a must-listen for data enthusiasts.

Alex Noonan, a developer advocate at Dagster, shares his fascinating journey from Marine aircraft mechanic to data engineering guru. He discusses the challenges of social media shifts post-Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, exploring how platforms like Blue Sky are changing community dynamics. Alex offers insights on networking strategies across LinkedIn, Reddit, and more, emphasizing the relevance of tailored content. He also highlights AI's transformative role in streamlining data processes, showcasing innovations like Dagster that enhance the day-to-day workflow of data professionals.

Everett Berry joins the show again to share fresh perspectives on applying data in your sales and go-to-market strategy. We talk about his journey to a key role at Clay, where he leads Go-To-Market Engineering to tackle the complexities of serving and enhancing data for sales. Everett discusses how Clay's tools improve data accuracy and reach, helping businesses streamline revenue operations with smarter data use.In this episode, we also dive into AI's impact on sales operations and revenue processes. Everett and John explore how AI agents and human teams interact, the integration of customer data platforms with CRMs, and the merging of RevOps and data teams. Picture a future where AI autonomously handles data tasks, changing how teams collaborate and redefining organizational roles. For anyone following the fast-paced world of sales tech, this conversation offers a forward-looking view on autonomous data management and its potential to transform business practices.What's New In Data is a data thought leadership series hosted by John Kutay who leads data and products at Striim. What's New In Data hosts industry practitioners to discuss latest trends, common patterns for real world data patterns, and analytics success stories.

Gwen Shapira, co-founder and CPO of Nile, is a notable force in the PostgreSQL world after leading Kafka development at Confluent. She shares her journey from cloud-native technologies to the PostgreSQL community, highlighting its vibrant evolution. Interesting discussions include PostgreSQL 17's new features, the integration of vector embeddings for AI applications, and the importance of SSL for secure connections. Gwen also explores how PostgreSQL supports diverse SaaS applications, emphasizing its flexibility and scalability.

Join us as we catch up with Chad Sanderson and Mark Freeman from Gable, live from Big Data London.  Discover Chad's insights from his well-attended talk and why the data scene in London has everyone buzzing. We're diving deep into the  concept of shifting data quality left, ensuring upstream data producers are as invested in data governance, privacy, and quality as their downstream counterparts. Chad and Mark also give us a sneak peek into their upcoming O'Reilly book on Data Contracts, complete with the charming Algerian racer lizard as its symbolic mascot. In this engaging conversation, Chad and Mark offer practical advice for data operators ready to embark on the journey of data contracts. They emphasize the importance of starting small and nurturing a strong cultural initiative to ensure success. Listen as they share strategies on engaging leadership and fostering a collaborative environment, providing a framework not just for implementation but also for securing leadership buy-in. This episode is packed with expert advice and real-world experiences that are a must-listen for anyone in the data field.John Kutay chimes in with examples of innovative data operators such as George Tedstone deploying Data Contracts at National Grid. Data Contracts and shifting data quality left will certainly be an area that many data teams prioritize as their workloads become increasingly operational. Download a preview of 'Data Contracts' here.Learn more about Gable.Follow Chad Sanderson on LinkedIn.Follow Mark Freeman on LinkedIn.What's New In Data is a data thought leadership series hosted by John Kutay who leads data and products at Striim. What's New In Data hosts industry practitioners to discuss latest trends, common patterns for real world data patterns, and analytics success stories.