The Data & AI Chief

Prepare for game-changing AI insights! Join Noelle Russell, CEO of the AI Leadership Institute and author of Scaling Responsible AI: From Enthusiasm to Execution. Noelle, an AI pioneer, shares her journey from the early Alexa team with Jeff Bezos, where her unique perspective shaped successful mindfulness apps. We'll explore her "I Love AI" community, which has taught over 3.4 million people. Unpack responsible, profitable AI, from the "baby tiger" analogy for AI development and organizational execution, to critical discussions around data bias and the cognitive cost of AI over-reliance.Key Moments: Journey into AI: From Jeff Bezos t...

Tune in for a masterclass in data leadership. Josh Cunningham, Group Head of Data and AI Culture at Lloyds Banking Group, unveils how this distinguished institution is boldly innovating with cutting-edge AI. Josh provides a riveting look into his unique role, which is dedicated to accelerating talent, building capabilities, and articulating data and AI's profound impact across the organization. Learn how Lloyds is rapidly expanding its data and AI graduate scheme and learn more about their ambitious quest to be the "most data literate bank". Hear how their innovative five-persona literacy framework, and engaging initiatives like the "Data and...

Step inside the world of data innovation as Don Vu, SVP and Chief Data and Analytics Officer at New York Life, reveals how a 180-year-old institution is embracing cutting-edge AI. Don, shares insights from his unique background, spanning Major League Baseball and retail startups, now applied to transforming the insurance industry. Hear how New York Life leverages AI to make experiences proactive and intelligent, addressing challenges like the "last mile problem" in data operationalization. Key Moments: MLB Data Insights (07:28): The conversation delves into how every baseball stadium is extensively instrumented with high-speed camera and radar technology, me...

Step into the future of policing where data is a mission-critical asset. Cindi Howson talks with Aimee Smith, Director of Data at the Metropolitan Police, about the Met’s bold data transformation—from digitizing records dating back to 1829 to using AI and cloud tech for smarter, faster decisions. Hear how initiatives like the V100 program and real-time analytics help improve city safety. Key Moments: Genesis of the Met’s Data Strategy (03:35) - The Met's data strategy's origin is traced to former Commissioner Cressida Dick's leadership, who envisioned leveraging data to transform policing, leading to a program building...

Embark on an insightful exploration of the hospitality sector, powered by data-driven analysis. Cindi Howson and Hyatt's data trailblazer, Ray Boyle (Vice President, Data and Analytics), are charting a course through Hyatt's data innovation. Witness how Hyatt's four-pillar data strategy is revolutionizing everything from employee empowerment to guest personalization and operational efficiency. Discover how Hyatt is democratizing data with self-service tools and pioneering an AI-powered frontier to redefine the very essence of hospitality!Key Moments: Data as an Asset (08:26): Ray emphasizes the importance of shifting the organizational mindset to view data not as a cost center, b...

Prepare to see banking in a new light! Cindi Howson and Macquarie Bank's data trailblazer, Ashwin Sinha (Chief Data Officer), go deep into the AI revolution transforming financial services. Discover how one of Australia's most dynamic financial institutions, Macquarie Bank, is wielding the disruptive force of generative AI, not just for efficiency, but to combat high-stakes threats like fraud. Plus, discover the remarkable evolution of the data analyst from report-generator to AI-powered strategic powerhouse!Key Moments: Drivers of Digital Transformation (04:36): Ashwin outlines the key factors driving a digital transformation and early cloud adoption, emphasizing customer obsession, i...

Prepare to see banking in a new light! Cindi Howson and Macquarie Bank's data trailblazer, Ashwin Sinha (Chief Data Officer and Executive Director), go deep into the AI revolution transforming financial services. Discover how one of Australia's most dynamic financial institutions, Macquarie Bank, is wielding the disruptive force of generative AI, not just for efficiency, but to combat high-stakes threats like fraud. Plus, discover the remarkable evolution of the data analyst from report-generator to AI-powered strategic powerhouse!Key Moments: Drivers of Digital Transformation (04:36): Ashwin outlines the key factors driving a digital transformation and early cloud adoption, e...

Ever wondered how data powers the magic behind your favorite theme park experiences? Join Cindi Howson and Gavin Hupp, VP of Technology, Enterprise Architecture, Data and Martech, E-commerce and Analytics at United Parks and Resorts, as they explore the complex data ecosystem of a theme park, from e-commerce and guest experience to AI's role in shaping the future of entertainment.Key Moments: Theme Park Business Model (03:12): Theme parks are described as a mix of multiple businesses, including e-commerce for ticket sales, animal experiences, entertainment venues, culinary and restaurant services, and retail operations. This combination creates a c...

How does SharkNinja use data to fuel its rapid growth and product innovation? Join Cindi Howson and Elpida Ormanidou, VP of Analytics and Insights at SharkNinja, as they dissect SharkNinja's data-driven culture, Elpida's journey in the data space across CPG and retail, and her insights on AI in the workplace. Key Moments: Data-Driven Culture (03:36): SharkNinja strongly emphasizes data in its culture, utilizing it to inform decision-making processes. The company is committed to using customer feedback gathered through data to drive the development and refinement of its product offerings.  CEO's Data Focus for Customer-centric Innovation (05:43): SharkNinja's CEO demo...

How is Sephora using data to create personalized experiences that customers love? Join Cindi Howson and Manbir Paul, VP of Engineering, Data Insights & MarTech at Sephora, as they explore the role of data and AI in understanding customer needs, predicting preferences, and delivering impactful moments. Key Moments: Micro-Moments that Matter (3:30): Sephora leverages data to create impactful moments for customers, like sending a timely reminder to a traveler about their moisturizer.Modern Data & AI Stack (5:00): Manbir discusses Sephora’s best-of-breed data and AI stack, spanning cloud data platform, BI solution, cataloging, and machine learning democratization.The Power of t...

Join host Cindi Howson as she dives into the critical topic of diversity and inclusion in the data and AI space with Roisin McCarthy, founder of Women in Data UK, and Robin Sutara, Field CDO at Databricks. They discuss the challenges of recruiting and retaining diverse talent, the importance of male allies, and the role of AI in creating a more inclusive workforceKey Moments: The Power of Community: Building a Network for Women in Data: Roisin McCarthy shares the story behind founding Women in Data, inspired by her mother's advice to "put up or shut u...

Join host Cindi Howson alongside Chris Bruman, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Dow, and Dan Futter, Chief Commercial Officer at Dow, as they explore how data-driven innovation is reshaping business and customer experiences. From the hub-and-spoke model for data management to the power of real-time insights, they discuss the role of data literacy, leadership, and AI-driven decision-making in driving success. Don’t miss this conversation on the future of AI, data strategy, and innovation.Discover the innovations that inspire Chris Bruman and Dan Futter, how data has shaped their careers, and which tech leaders they admire mo...

Your host, Cindi Howson, and CTO of NVIDIA AI agentic software, Bartley Richardson, discuss the transformative potential of generative and agentic AI in business, focusing on customer service, HR, and workplace innovation. They explore real-world use cases, the challenges of managing diverse data sources, and the tools and technologies shaping the future of AI which lead to….Data Challenges: Cindi and Bartley discuss the complexities of managing structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data in the context of generative AI. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by different data formats.Tools and Technologies: Bartley provides guidance for AI and te...

In this season premiere of The Data Chief podcast, your host Cindi Howson sits down with three industry visionaries to explore the trends, predictions, and must-take actions for data leaders in 2025. Get ready for a deep dive into: The generative AI revolution with Matt Turck, Partner at FirstMark CapitalThe future of data science and genAI with Steve Nouri, Founder of GenAI Works and AI for DiversityData Engineering in the Age of AI with Joe Reis, author of "Fundamentals of Data Engineering" and the upcoming "Mixed Model Arts."Plus: Hear their fun predictions for everything from sports to s...

Key Moments: Focusing on Value with Bill Schmarzo 1:48Unlocking the Collective Genius with Walid Mehanna 4:07Building a Data-Literate Workforce with Valerie Logan 5:58Creating a Human-Centric AI Strategy with Sadie St. Lawrence 7:40Selecting the Right Tools with Katie Russell 11:23Implementing tools responsibly with Robert Garnett 16:00Why Clean Data Matters with Barr Moses 19:36Ensuring Responsible AI for the Long-Term with Dr. Gary Marcus 25:45 Key Quotes:“Data-driven is not important. Value-driven—that’s what’s important. We should focus on value.” — Bill Schmarzo, Head of Customer Data Innovation at Dell Technologies“Our role was rather to activate the organizational muscle… to try t...

Description: Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera, joins host, Cindi Howson, and dives into  the impact of Generative AI on skills, diversity in tech, and the future of upskilling.Key Moments: The impact GenAI and the surge of learning demand (05:45)Why employers must prioritize AI literacy (10.32)The gender gap in AI learning and why it matters (19:40)Leveraging data to drive personalization and learner success (24:00)Predictions for the future of AI in the labor market (29.53)Key Quotes:“Generative AI is going to require us to all be a lot more emotionally intel...

Key MomentsFrom Engineer to Data Leader (03:05)A Mindset Shift: Business Problem First, Data Second (9:31)Learning From Missteps (11:00)The Gazelle and the Lion Analogy (14:53) The Role of AI: Do Things, Do Things Better, and Do Better Things (25:58)Built to Last versus Built to Adapt (40:01) Key Quotes"Instead of a data-first mindset, you need to have a business problem-first and data-second mindset. That has helped me transform myself as a leader quite a bit.""It’s more important to define the problem right than solving the problem. How can we understand what you’re trying to solve, and ho...

Key Moments: Disappointment With Today’s AI Systems (4:00) Congressional Inaction And The Need for AI Regulation (9:00)The Seduction of AI Propaganda (15:00)The Misguided Hypothesis of "Scale is All You Need" (23:00)Don’t Be Fooled by the Masters of AI Hype (27:00) The Global AI Race and the Need for International Cooperation (33:00)Key Quotes:“This matters. It matters as much as immigration policy or financial policy. The tech policy that we set right now is going to really affect the rest of our lives.”“We should want to have AI that can be like an oracle that can answer any qu...

Key Moments: Jeremy KahnThe history of AI: the Turing Test and the Eliza Effect with Jeremy Khan (1:50)Jeremy’s view on how we can learn from lessons of the past (9:00)It starts with data and people: leveraging AI to increase productivity (16:00)Sol RashidiSol Rashidi on failing to succeed in AI (31:00)The need for rogue executives (37:00)Sol’s view on prioritizing GenAI use cases and measuring ROI (42:50)Bernard MarrBernard Marr on demystifying AI (60:02)Is society ready for AI’s impact on augmenting jobs? (66:00)AI’s impact on personalization of medicine, treatment...

Key Moments:The road to entrepreneurship (1:00) Bringing transparency to the prescription drugs industry (4:30) Analyzing in-game sports data to shoot for new heights (20:00) Changing the world by making data and AI accessible to everyone (25:00) How LLMs can build curiosity for the next generation of tech talent (33:00)Key Quotes:“As with all things technology, everybody has access to the information, but few people take the time. But those who do tend to have an edge. If you're curious, if you love to learn, you're going to do pretty well. But how do you find those people when they're kids a...