By understanding how data, technology, and culture interact, businesses can unlock AI’s full potential and revolutionize their processes. Nevertheless, specific capabilities that need to be in place – from robust data infrastructures and cutting-edge technology to a culture of innovation and adaptability – to create a foundation for tangible AI outcomes. Through real-world examples and insights, this talk will demonstrate how organizations can harness AI to optimize processes, enhance decision-making, and ultimately gain a competitive edge in the digital age.

• Understand how quality data fuels AI success and the critical role of data governance and infrastructure in ensuring AI delivers meaningful outcomes
• Learn about the key technologies that enable AI adoption, from machine learning models to cloud infrastructure, and how they interact to power intelligent processes
• Discover the importance of fostering a culture that embraces change, innovation, and continuous learning to effectively implement AI and reap its benefits

Scott Richardson

Chief Data & Analytics Officer
First Citizens Bank

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The current political and economic environment is marked by uncertainty, and with the evolving landscape of regulations, data leaders are facing increasing challenges in maintaining compliance, especially in the wake of an administration change. The shifting regulatory framework has created inconsistencies and unclear guidance, making it difficult for organizations to effectively manage their data while ensuring they meet compliance requirements. To navigate this complexity, it is crucial for companies to implement a robust strategy to stay compliant and proactive in managing audits, risk assessments, and evolving requirements.

-   Assess the importance of maintaining compliance with both existing and emerging regulations, and identify the necessary adjustments within your organization to remain agile and aligned with these obligations

-   Consider the critical role of cross-team collaboration in ensuring compliance, reducing risks, and effectively managing audits and regulatory scrutiny

-   Evaluate key methods for staying on top of ongoing compliance efforts, including effective monitoring strategies, and ensure that vital information is shared across teams to keep all departments aligned and prepared for any upcoming audits or regulatory changes

Erum Manzoor

SVP, Public Cloud
Citi

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Financial institutions rarely operate in isolation. Fintech companies rely on banks to provide loans to their customers, while many banks exchange data to enhance their services, or partner with solution providers to manage their data. Given this interconnected ecosystem, building lasting partnerships is essential, though this is, also, very rarely straightforward. Differences in data management practices, storage methods and structures can create challenges, reason for which it is crucial to understand how others in the industry operate to ensure seamless integration and optimized collaboration.

-   Build an understanding of your own processes in order to be able to communicate them with stakeholders and collaborators and minimize misunderstandings

-   Discover key ways to devise clear communication channels with your collaborators to align on objectives and understand each other’s priorities

-   Learn the importance of fostering an internal and external collaborative culture and of ensuring everyone across the company has a voice

Melissa Richards

Chief Data Officer
Renasant Bank

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Though Europe continues to enforce and reinforce data privacy regulations, the US seems to be no closer to a regulatory framework that will encapsulate all states and set a standard across the country. In the absence of such regulations, businesses face a fragmented landscape of varying laws, creating confusion and increasing the risk of non-compliance. In house data teams must therefore be ready to recognize current rules, from state to industry specific laws, and to equip themselves with the tools necessary to protect both their data and those of their customers.

• Learn to establish comprehensive data governance policies to ensure responsible data collection, storage and usage, including clear guidelines on access, retention and sharing to ensure sensitive information is protected across the organization
• Assess integrating privacy considerations into every stage of data handling as a strategy to ensure privacy is prioritized from the outset
• Home in on the importance of continuously educating and training all employees on best practices, including promoting ethical data practice and fostering a culture where privacy is a shared responsibility

A data team is nothing if it doesn’t have the business on its side. Most data users, as well as those handing out the budget for instance, will not be data professionals. This is why a very large part of a data team’s role is to raise awareness around the data function in order to secure the necessary tools to do their job, and to limit silos and promote governance. However, since a lot of the CDO’s role also takes place behind the scenes, ROI is particularly difficult to prove. Many CDOs for this reason have been using stories or analogies to explain the value of data and to prove its importance in the wider business for, as time has shown, data initiatives are useless if they are not backed by people.

-   Learn to prioritize the “people” in “people, processes, technology” and understand individual departments’ priorities and processes to equip yourself with the best story for them

-   Discuss key ways to demonstrate data’s value, including training sessions, workshops, or listening corners, to hear people’s struggles and offer data-driven solutions

-   Weigh in on what the board needs to hear from you and devise a strategy accordingly to secure buy in and budget