Discover
Bringing Data and AI to Life

Bringing Data and AI to Life
Author: Informatica
Subscribed: 2Played: 2Subscribe
Share
© 2024 Informatica. All rights reserved.
Description
This is Bringing Data and AI to Life: the podcast you want to listen to for practical advice and insights into the latest innovations in data management and AI. You’ll learn how to realize transformative business outcomes by managing data to become a living and trusted asset, fueling your AI and data-driven initiatives.
We aim to bring data clarity to the chaos and complexity surrounding Data and AI, speaking to industry experts and addressing head-on the many challenges of data management and AI.
The world is rapidly changing in this new era. Your AI is only as good as your data. This is the place where you can make sense of it all.
We aim to bring data clarity to the chaos and complexity surrounding Data and AI, speaking to industry experts and addressing head-on the many challenges of data management and AI.
The world is rapidly changing in this new era. Your AI is only as good as your data. This is the place where you can make sense of it all.
28 Episodes
Reverse
So, you’ve got your data in place. Now what? The world of data collection, analysis and engineering is undergoing a massive overhaul and it can be hard to keep on. In part 2 of this Bringing Data and AI To Life episode, host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, and Joe Reis, bestselling author of "Fundamentals of Data Engineering" and Data Engineer, continue to unpack why prioritizing business problems over technological solutions in AI implementation is critical.
Tune in to discover practical strategies for better active listening, translating technical concepts into business value, and mastering the fundamentals in an AI-first world. The keys to unlocking the potential of the data ecosystem are where you least expect them to be.
Today’s data ecosystem is less an absolute and more an ever-evolving mystery that’s always got eyes on it. Our eyes too - on the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, welcomes Joe Reis, bestselling author of "Fundamentals of Data Engineering" and Data Engineer, in this two-part series, to explore the evolving landscape of data engineering and AI implementation. Tune in to understand why focusing on fundamentals remains crucial amid rapid technological change, unpack the ways to build robust data systems without falling into “hype cycles”, and learn practical strategies for aligning architecture, governance, and tooling with real business outcomes.
It’s time to balance innovation with proven principles, while emphasizing the often-overlooked importance of security and governance in modern data engineering.
Data dictates everything - our work, our lives and everything in between. But where does it live? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, sits with Sean Farney, VP of Data Center Strategy for Americas at JLL, to explore the fascinating world of data center innovation. Together, they unpack valuable insights from managing Microsoft's groundbreaking 120MW containerized data center to leading sustainability initiatives across 200 million square feet of mission-critical infrastructure. The world belongs to those who pay attention to AI infrastructure scaling, sustainable data operations and the future of adaptive data centers. So, tune in to understand why data centers are the backbone of our AI-driven future and learn about emerging opportunities in this rapidly growing field.
Come, take a peek behind the curtain of modern data infrastructure!
Transforming one’s business with AI while maintaining that human element is the balance everyone’s struggling with. But what if the answer’s hidden in plain sight? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host and VP of Data Governance and Data Integration Solution Sales at Informatica, Amy Horowitz sits down with Alanna Val Hackett, Manager of Data Solutions at TripleLift, to explore the evolution of modern data teams, effective data-driven product management, and practical AI implementation strategies.
Tune in for valuable insights on how to balance automation with human expertise, develop junior talent effectively, and create a documentation culture that empowers self-service analytics. The only data teams that will win are the ones who keep ethical considerations at the forefront.
In the data and AI space, action cannot wait. And, neither can celebration! Tune into the anniversary special of Bringing Data and AI To Life as hosts, Amy Horowitz, GVP Solutions Sales and Business Development at Informatica and Nick Dobbins, VP and Worldwide Field CTO, Informatica, along with special appearances from the podcast team - Rudra Ray, Rameez Ghouz, Stephanie Rogers and Gary Loste, celebrate one year of cutting through data and AI complexity. Together, they reflect on key insights and transformative discussions that have shaped the industry landscape, including AI governance challenges, the importance of trusted data for scaling AI initiatives, and practical strategies for modernizing data stacks.
As you listen in, continue to cut through the chaos of data and AI and walk the path of clarity with us!
As it stands today, the average social media user is privy to anywhere between 4000 to 10,000 ads a day. So, how much of this churn is down to Data and AI and how efficiently do businesses bridge the gap between ad tech and customer value? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, welcomes Praveen Gujar, Director of Product at LinkedIn, to explore the evolution of ad tech platforms, real-time data scaling, and the delicate balance between personalization and privacy. Whether you're leading marketing technology initiatives or building data infrastructure for advertising platforms, this conversation delivers practical insights on leveraging AI for hyper-personalization while maintaining user trust.
Tune in to discover how successful ad tech platforms are simplifying complex data architectures to deliver real-time, personalized experiences at scale.
If you think the mere presence of AI determines organizational success, think again. It’s when organizations use AI to support value creation that success really takes a seat at the table. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Amy Horowitz, VP of the Data Governance and Data Integration Solution Sales team for Informatica, welcomes the ‘Dean of Big Data’, Bill Schmarzo to the show, to unpack key strategies to transform data and AI initiatives into tangible business value. Backed by his pioneering Value Engineering Methodology, Bill reveals why successful AI adoption starts with understanding your organization's value creation process - not the technology.
This conversation serves as a much-needed reminder that understanding the problem at hand is just as important (if not more) as looking for solutions.
Is AI going to be relegated to a productivity-efficiency in the banking sector or do the horizons expand into innovation as well? In part two of the series on Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Amy Horowitz, VP of the Data Governance and Data Integration Solution Sales team, Informatica, welcomes back Joseph Pelasari and Desigan Reddi from Wescom Financial, for a further deep-dive on the potential of AI in the banking industry, the practical ways it’s currently driving innovation and what the future holds in terms of AI capabilities and adoption. Tune in for valuable perspectives on implementing AI in regulated environments, avoiding bias in lending decisions, and creating scalable AI solutions that align with strategic objectives.
In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, hosts Amy Horowitz and Nick Dobbins sit down with Joseph Pellissery, CIO, Head of Technology, Digital and Payments at Wescom Credit Union and Chairman of Wescom Resources Group, and Desigan Reddi, VP of IT Operations and Architecture at Wescom Credit Union, to explore their groundbreaking journey from siloed systems to a unified, AI-powered customer view.
AI and data can be the quick fix solution for business efficiency. But it doesn’t have to stop there; if used smartly, they can bolster the growth of your business exponentially.
Efficient data and AI are often perceived as the end goal for businesses. The truth is that they’re just the tools that get you to the finish line. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, our host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, sits with Jonas Christensen, Head of AI Innovation at SkillsGPT and Chief AI Officer at the Australian Regional AI Network, for a deep dive into the impending business revolution, backed by data and AI. From navigating organizational resistance to prioritizing AI initiatives, Jonas shares invaluable insights on turning data challenges into business opportunities, applying these tools effectively and why clean data is the need of the hour.
AI and data can be the quick fix solution for business efficiency. But it doesn’t have to stop there; if used smartly, they can bolster the growth of your business exponentially.
Who said data was just an invisible string of numbers? On this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life our host and GVP of Solution Specialist Sales at Informatica, Amy Horowitz, is joined by Cathy Hackl, CEO and Founder of Future Dynamics. Cathy is a globally recognized futurist, an expert in deep tech and a speaker on AI.
This conversation touches on the definition of data itself, and how it goes beyond what you can calculate in a spreadsheet. Cathy talks us through the challenges businesses face when incorporating AI into their practices, as well as the rise of using physical AI to visualise data, reminding us that the quality of your data is critical to the rate of your growth.
What good are AI and Data if you don’t use them to YOUR competitive advantage? John Thompson, Principal and Owner of Marketing Sciences LLC and author of multiple data and AI books, joins Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, on this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, for a deep dive into practical strategies for AI implementation, the emergence of causal AI, and how to choose the right AI projects that solve genuine business problems. This conversation highlights the value of focusing on business problems first, avoiding “scope creep”, and leveraging both structured and unstructured data effectively. Tune in for the surprising truth about AI implementation and why, contrary to popular belief - the solution to successful implementation lies in solving the bigger business problem, first.
When it comes to the use of AI and data, one question must be asked - do you want to do it well or do it big? On this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO at Informatica, sits down with Kayvaun Rowshankish, Senior Partner at McKinsey to explore the intricacies of getting data management right, on a large-scale. Together, they unpack the phenomena of Agentic AI, data management essentials, and strategic imperatives for successful AI implementation. From demystifying AI agents and their business applications, to addressing data readiness challenges, this conversation highlights the importance of a crystal clear vision, leadership buy-in, and an alignment between business goals and AI and Data use. Tune in to discover how you can drive business engagement for AI success and build a future-proof data ecosystem that drives real value.
Rules aren’t always meant to be broken; especially when it comes to AI. In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host and VP of Data Governance and Data Integration Solution Sales at Informatica, Amy Horowitz, welcomes Gaurav Pathak, VP of Product Management for AI and Metadata at Informatica to explore the critical balance between AI advancement and responsible governance. Together, they open the doors into the 'wild west' of AI model adoption, the importance of establishing clear data policies, and how organizations can navigate the global AI race while maintaining security.
If you’re looking for ways to balance governance and innovation for AI-progress, this is the conversation for you. Tune in to part 2 of the conversation to find out why governance isn't about saying 'no,' but about enabling faster, more secure AI innovation across your enterprise.
What if you could redefine enterprise data management with AI—while boosting productivity by 30%? In this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Amy Horowitz sits down with Gaurav Pathak, VP of Product Management for AI and Metadata at Informatica, to explore how AI is turning data from a manual headache into an enterprise-wide superpower. As a DataIQ 2025 Data and AI Leader of the Year nominee, Gaurav delivers actionable strategies to help CDOs, CIOs, and data architects scale operations, enhance governance, and harness AI-driven automation. Tune in now to embrace innovation—without sacrificing security or trust.
On this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, host Nick Dobbins, Worldwide VP and Field CTO, Informatica, welcomes Sudeep Regmi, Head of Enterprise Data Management Innovation at Takeda to take the conversation around using data effectively, one big step further. While data is perceived as a valuable asset across the board, it can be challenging for organizations to use it in a way that creates value for themselves. Through this conversation, they unpack the secret behind using data to drive your business strategy, the importance of domain-driven data, creating happy data and the right way to do it all.
On this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life, Amy Horowitz, host and VP of Data Governance and Data Integration Solution Sales at Informatica, sits down with Mark Lynd, Head of Executive Advisory and Strategy at Netsync to explore the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, today. From his serendipitous foray into tech to the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to the world of cybersecurity, this discussion uncovers the spectrum of possibility that lies ahead for the industry and its players.
If you want to know how to make the most of the moment and turn this intersection into a rewarding reality, taking cybersecurity practices to the next level, this is the episode for you!
The AI landscape is constantly evolving and the magical nature of GenAI and related technologies is slowly starting to wear off. Tune into this episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life as Amy Horowitz, host and VP of Data Governance and Data Integration Solution Sales at Informatica is joined by Scott Holcomb, Transformation Consulting Leader for Generative AI at Deloitte to better understand what’s going on behind the scenes, the importance of data-driven decision making in implementing AI and what the near-future of AI, data and technology will bring our way. As always, bringing you clarity in the chaos.
Tis the season to reflect on an action-packed year in AI! Tune in to the latest episode of Bringing Data and AI to Life as hosts Amy Horowitz, VP for Solution Sales for Data Integration and Data Governance and Nick Dobbins, Field CTO at Informatica, look back on the good and the bad from the world of AI in 2024. From trust in AI and the importance of data quality, to the transformative power of data governance - insights from our past conversations with the industry’s top voices await you.
Nick Dobbins, Field CTO at Informatica is your host of the Bringing Data and AI to Life podcast – but this time his guest is the incredible William McKnight, President of McKnight Consulting Group and a certified expert in data management, analytics, and cloud technologies. In this episode, William reflects on his journey, from the good old days in COBOL programming, to his status now as a leading voice in AI-driven data strategies. William’s passion for learning and innovation is infectious, as he shares success stories from predictive fraud detection to AI-driven customer interaction. Tune in for practical advice on navigating the evolving data landscape and why staying ahead in data maturity is critical to long-term success.