Podcast: Don’t Panic! It’s Just Data

Guest: Adrian Estala, VP, Field Chief Data & AI Officer, Starburst

Host: Shubhangi Dua, Podcast Producer, Host and B2B Tech Journalist, EM360Tech

"AI is replacing BI,” stated Adrian Estala, VP and Field Chief Data & AI Officer at Starburst.

When Shubhangi Dua, host of Don’t Panic, It’s Just Data, put the statement back to Estala, the tension was intentional. In enterprise tech, few systems are as ingrained as business intelligence (BI) dashboards. For two decades, they have been the common language of decision-making – static reports, polished charts, and visuals that meet compliance standards.

However, Estala insists that the change isn't about removing dashboards. It's about staying relevant. “BI isn’t going away,” he explains. “It’s evolving.”

How AI is replacing BI?

A transformation to AI begins with something deceptively simple – a business semantic layer. Instead of forcing executives to understand data through IT-designed schemas, enterprises are creating context-rich data products using business language. A CFO sees finance terms, not table joins. A loans team sees portfolios, not pipelines.

Once this foundation is established, teams can plug the same governed, reusable data product into their business intelligene (BI) tools. This leads to improved performance and consistency rises too.

However, the growth doesn’t stop here; businesses typically ask for more. When a conversational agent is added next to a legacy dashboard, using the same trusted data product, the behaviour changes quickly. Leaders start asking questions in natural language, exploring trends they have never charted before. They make forecasts in seconds and adjust their thinking while on the go.

What was once a static reporting experience transforms into an interactive analytical dialogue. In one major bank, Estala recalls, a CEO challenged himself to avoid opening a dashboard for two weeks. He didn’t need to; the agent managed everything for him.

Also Watch: Are You Scaling Intelligence — or Just Scaling Errors?

Takeaways

• AI is replacing BI, but it's more about evolution than replacement.
• Organisations are moving towards data products for better analytics.
• Engaging business teams early is crucial for successful AI implementation.
• Conversational agents are transforming how teams interact with data.
• Data quality and governance are essential in the transition to AI.
• Business semantic layers help bridge the gap between IT and business needs.
• Organisations can achieve significant impact with AI in a short time.
• Don't wait for perfect architecture; start with a Pathfinder approach.
• Business teams can drive innovation when they understand their data.
• The future of data engagement lies in combining AI with traditional BI tools.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Evolution of BI to AI
• 03:11 Understanding AI's Role in Business Intelligence
• 14:44 Navigating the Transition to AI
• 20:03 Ensuring Data Quality and Governance
• 24:44 The Future of Data Engagement

To learn more about how data products and AI agents are changing enterprise analytics, follow:

• Starburst LinkedIn: @Starburst
• Starburst X: @starburstdata
• Starburst YouTube: @StarburstData
• EM360Tech YouTube: @enterprisemanagement360
• EM360Tech LinkedIn: @EM360Tech
• EM360Tech X: @EM360Tech
• Follow: @EM360Tech on YouTube, LinkedIn and X

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