The Data & AI Chief

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 a...

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 Mome...

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. Dis...

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. Plu...

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:  Th...

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 cu...

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 momen...

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 workforce Key Moments:   The Power of Commu...

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 dr...

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 : Cin...

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 Capital The future of data science and genAI with Steve Nouri, Founder of GenAI Works and AI for Div...

Key Moments:  Focusing on Value with Bill Schmarzo 1:48 Unlocking the Collective Genius with Walid Mehanna 4:07 Building a Data-Literate Workforce with Valerie Logan 5:58 Creating a Human-Centric AI Strategy with Sadie St. Lawrence 7:40 Selecting the Right Tools with Katie Russell 11:23 Implementing tools responsibly with Robert Garnett 16:00 Why Clean Data Matters with Barr Moses 19:36 Ensuring R...

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 driv...

Key Moments From 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-sec...

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 immigrati...

Key Moments:  Jeremy Kahn The 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 Rashidi Sol 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 meas...

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...

Key Moments: Why is the data wrong? (6:00) Our products are our data (11:00) The true size of the data quality problem (14:00) Clean your data before you prioritize shiny new tools (26:00) The next frontier: GenAI and unstructured data (31:00) Key Quotes: “The data estate has changed significantly. But the way in which we manage data and data quality specifically has not adapted.” – Barr Moses “I...

Key Moments: Leveraging data for good (2:00)  Every leader is responsible for data management (13:00)  New metrics to validate AI’s sustainability (21:00)  Mitigating AI’s risks to society (23:00)  The current shape of global AI regulation (28:00)  The importance of diversity in mitigating data bias (37:00)  Key Quotes: “Every leader must understand that they have a responsibility for data managem...

Key Moments:  A journey from intern to CEO (05:10) Encouraging a harmonized relationship between humans and AI (09:58) Why embracing stress can drive urgency and effective change (17:18) Generative AI’s impact on the skills landscape (30:39) Fostering a data-driven company culture (36:41) Embrace change, and quickly (40:25) Key Quotes:  “AI does amazing things, like summarizations and semantic sea...

Key Moments:  The emotional temperature for change in analytics (5:06) There’s no playbook for change management (7:53)  Why Generative AI success requires a melding of expertise (17:20)  Measuring the success of LLMs (18:58)  How do you embrace the new when you’re facing technical debt? (33:27) How to fine-tune your career in today’s data and AI landscape (37:30)  Key Quotes:  “Business intellige...

Key Moments:  Leveraging Generative AI for work? Start by asking the right questions (04:13)  What’s in store for the future world of work (18:18)  How Generative AI can expand humans’ divergent thinking (26:16)  Taking people and culture along the Generative AI journey (31:20)  The value of diversity in data (42:00) A tale of mentorship (44:20) Key Quotes:  “With Generative AI, now we have a comm...

Key Moments: The voyage to a data-driven US Coast Guard (5:21) Navigating data-driven approaches to US Coast Guard operations (20:28)  Balancing experience-based decision making with data-informed decision making (25:34) In whose data do you trust? (30:10)  Measuring the value of data (33:80) Should an AI ethicist be part of the team or should everyone really be an ethicist? (45:00)  Key Quotes: “...

Tune in to learn: Make your business strategy a data strategy  (3:10) ‘Cover my back’ approaches (09:00) Straddling risks in data and business (11:28) Learnings from implementing myGPT (16:18)  Activating your organization’s collective genius (24:05) Creating the right processes and culture to breed AI success (31:00)  The current state of AI regulation (38:35)  Key Quotes:  “You can have an AI st...

People are only as healthy as the communities they live in. In this episode, discover how Elevance Health is reimagining  the healthcare system, and strengthening our communities in the process with a data-driven strategy. Learn how Elevance Health leverages community data to paint a more complete picture of an individual’s health, making healthcare journeys more personalized and equitable. You’ll...