Data Dojo Podcast

AI is changing the role of the data engineer.

But does that make data engineering less important, or does it simply change what great data professionals look like?

In this episode of Data Dojo, Adam is joined by Arjun Sivadasan, a data and technology leader at CreditorWatch.

Arjun started his career as a full-stack engineer and has spent nearly 20 years working across data, platforms and technology leadership.

Today, he leads CreditorWatch’s data platform, helping turn data into products and better business decisions.

We get into how AI is changing data engineering, why understanding the business and having domain knowledge can give you an edge, and why architecture may actually become more important as AI adoption accelerates.

We also discuss:

🤖 Why AI could actually create more data engineering problems

💰 The growing importance of AI evaluation and cost management

🏗️ What “platform thinking” means in practice

🤝 Why engineers need to get closer to customers and business stakeholders

🔄 The future of data team structures and the hub-and-spoke model

🧠 Why soft skills are becoming increasingly valuable

👥 Arjun’s approach to developing future leaders

👂 And the one skill he believes every data professional should invest in: active listening

A really interesting conversation about where data engineering is heading, and what professionals can do to stay ahead of the curve.

Connect with Adam:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam/

Connect with Arjun:https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunsivadasan/

Follow the Data Dojo Podcast for future episodes!

#DataAnalytics #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #DataLeadership #MachineLearning

In this episode of the Data Dojo Podcast, I sit down with Kevin, Head of Data & Analytics at Mitti Insurance.

We explore the future of Data, Analytics and AI, including the importance of domain knowledge, strong data foundations, governance, semantic layers and responsible AI adoption.

Kevin shares his perspective on why organisations shouldn't automatically reach for AI to solve every problem, how Data careers are evolving and why communication and business understanding could become even more important as technology advances.

We also discuss the complexity of insurance data, the role of AI in the enterprise and whether Data teams belong in IT or closer to the business.

A practical conversation about moving beyond AI hype and focusing on what actually creates value.

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🔗 Subscribe for more Data + AI leadership insights💬 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments — I’d love to hear them.

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🔗 Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-cattaway/

🔗 Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam/

🌐 Check out Mitti Insurance: https://insurance.mitti.com/

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Follow the Data Dojo Podcast for future episodes!#DataAnalytics #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #DataLeadership #MachineLearning

In this episode, Adam sits down with Jason Tan, Founder of Engage.ai, Fractional AI Advisor, and one of Australia’s thought leaders in data, AI, and analytics.

Jason shares his journey from data scientist in corporate Australia to founder and AI innovator, revealing the challenges of transitioning from technical roles to entrepreneurship, marketing, and personal branding.

We talk about:

💡 Overcoming the fear of being judged as a technical professional

⚙️ Using LinkedIn, podcasting, and content creation to build credibility

📊 Practical steps to bootstrap and scale AI products without VC funding

🧠 Leveraging AI to communicate ideas and promote your work

🔮 Advice for starting a side project or AI startup while still employed

🎓 Lessons learned from transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship

🌱 How to build MVPs and validate ideas before going “all in”

Whether you’re in data, AI, or considering your own startup journey, Jason’s story is full of actionable insights on career growth, entrepreneurship, and using AI to amplify your impact.

🔗 Subscribe for more Data + AI leadership insights💬 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments — Adam would love to hear them.

🔗 Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpctan/🔗 Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam/🌐 Read Jason’s Substack for practical tips on bootstrapping AI products: https://jpctan.substack.com

#DataDojo #Podcast #TechPodcast #AI #DataAnalytics #DataEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #DigitalTransformation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #AIProducts #CareerGrowth #PersonalBranding #TechnicalLeadership #AusTech #AustralianPodcast #AIDownUnder

In this episode, Adam sits down with Dr. Sandeep Mathur, Head of Data and Engineering at Greenpeace Australia Pacific and one of Corinium’s Global Top 100 Innovators in Data, Analytics & AI for 2025.

Sandeep shares an inside look at how Greenpeace is delivering a full digital transformation across data, CRM and AI — all within the constraints of a mission-driven, values-led nonprofit environment.

We talk about:

💡 Building a modern data ecosystem inside a nonprofit

⚙️ Shifting from pro-code to low-code to empower teams

📊 Creating a unified supporter 360 view

🧠 Using AI responsibly: ethical frameworks, governance & sustainability

🔮 Future use cases — predictive intelligence, donor personalisation, natural-language analytics

🎓 How teaching at UTS shapes Sandeep’s leadership approach

🌱 Why purpose is becoming the new currency in tech careers

Whether you're in data, digital transformation, or interested in the intersection of tech and purpose, this is a seriously insightful conversation.

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🔗 Subscribe for more Data + AI leadership insights

💬 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments, I’d love to hear them.

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🔗 Connect with Sandeep:   / sandeepmathur1  

🔗 Connect with Adam:   / amasseyadam  

🌐 Check out SiteMinder: https://www.greenpeace.org.au/

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UTS Digital Transformation Course (March): https://coursehandbook.uts.edu.au/sub...

Decision 2030 Summit (AI Governance & Quantum): https://eruditets.com/decision3030/

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#DataDojo #Podcast #TechPodcast #AI #DataAnalytics #DataEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #DigitalTransformation #Greenpeace #NonProfitTech #EthicalAI #CRM #Innovation #TechForGood #DigitalLeadership #Top100Innovators #AusTech #AustralianPodcast #AIDownUnder

In this episode, I’m joined by Alex, Head of Analytics at SiteMinder, the leading global hotel distribution and revenue platform.

Alex shares his journey from a commercial and strategy background into data and analytics, learning on the job, and building cross-functional analytics teams at high-growth Aussie tech companies like Safety Culture and SiteMinder.

We dive into what it really takes to lead analytics in tech — from embedding analysts within business teams to creating a culture of experimentation, learning, and impact, and leveraging tools like DBT to transform the way teams work.

You’ll hear:

✅ How being a generalist can supercharge leadership and team building

✅ Why embedding analysts in the business drives the most value

✅ The importance of context, critical thinking, and communication in analytics

✅ How AI is changing the analyst role — and what humans still do best

✅ Advice for analysts, leaders, and anyone building data capability

This episode is full of practical, real-world insights from someone shaping analytics teams at scale in Australia’s tech scene.

🔗 Subscribe for more Data + AI leadership insights

💬 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments — I’d love to hear them.—

🔗 Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexdambra/

🔗 Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam/

🌐 Check out SiteMinder: https://www.siteminder.com/

#DataAnalytics #Leadership #DBT #AI #DataDojo #Podcast #DataTeams #TechLeadership #SaaS #AnalyticsEngineering

In this episode, I’m joined by Victor Bajanov, AI Transformation Lead at Quantium who are one of Australia’s most respected data science and AI consultancies.

Victor has been with Quantium since the early days (employee #19!) and now leads their enterprise-wide shift into AI.

From building internal tools and training programs to delivering external AI strategy for clients, he’s at the face of real, at-scale transformation.

We explore what it really means to go “all in” on AI — from rolling out tools across a 1300-person business (yes, even the receptionist) to creating agentic swarms, digital twins of the leadership team, and embedding AI into everyday workflows.

You’ll hear:

✅ Why Claude beat ChatGPT in a head-to-head internal trial

✅ How they’re building swarms of AI agents to simulate executive decision-making

✅ What it takes to scale trust and quality in AI systems

✅ Why 95% accuracy isn’t enough for production use

✅ Advice for engineers, leaders, and anyone wanting to get ahead with AI

This episode is packed with real-world insight, not theory — from someone actually doing the work at scale.

🔗 Subscribe for more Data + AI leadership insights

💬 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments — I’d love to hear them.—

🔗 Connect with Victor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorbajanov/⁠

🔗 Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam/

🌐 Check out Quantium: https://quantium.com/

#AI #ClaudeAI #ChatGPT #EnterpriseAI #LLMs #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #AgenticSwarms #DataDojo #Podcast #GenerativeAI #MachineLearning

Everyone says they want to “build a data function.”
Very few have actually done it.
Even fewer have done it well — and at scale.

This week Adam is joined by, Jonathan Mak, Director of Business Data at Nearmap.

For those who don’t know, Nearmap is a leading Australian geospatial tech company — think high-resolution aerial imagery, location intelligence, and cutting-edge AI powering decisions for governments, insurers, and engineers across ANZ and the US.

Jonathan joined as their first ever data hire.

No team. No platform. Just a Redshift instance and a blank canvas.

Fast-forward to today — he leads a lean, high-impact data team embedded across the business, delivering measurable outcomes every day.

Here’s what we get into:

💥 How he built Nearmap’s data stack from scratch (early adopter of DBT + Looker)
💥 Why data as a product is more than a mindset — it’s a strategy
💥 The importance of choosing your first stakeholder carefully
💥 How to scale data with a team of 6 (without cutting corners)
💥 The role of analytics engineering in breaking down silos
💥 LLMs and AI: less dashboards, more action
💥 The real reason most data projects fail (hint: it’s not the tech)

🔗 Connect with Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mak-51709992/

⁠🔗 Connect with Adam: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam/

🌐 Check out Nearmap: https://www.nearmap.com

In this episode, Adam sits down with Chris Simusokwe, the visionary GM of the Data Center of Excellence at TPG Telecom, to dive into his incredible journey—from starting out in tech in Zambia to spearheading groundbreaking data transformation efforts in Australia.

Chris takes us behind the scenes of TPG's dynamic data journey, revealing how they’re reshaping the telecommunications landscape by simplifying service plans, revolutionizing customer experiences, and modernizing their tech ecosystem.

He also opens up about the challenges of aligning data governance with business objectives and the critical role of hybrid data architecture in driving innovation.

Plus, the conversation explores the exciting future of AI in telecom and why responsible AI practices are a non-negotiable part of TPG’s strategy.

Key Takeaways:

🌍 Chris's journey began in Zambia, transitioning from tech roles to data analytics.

🔄 TPG's data transformation focuses on simplifying service plans and improving customer experience.

📊 The importance of a business-led approach to data initiatives is emphasised.

🏗️ Chris advocates for a hybrid data architecture to balance centralised and federated approaches.

🔒 Data governance is crucial for ensuring trust in data quality and usage.

💡 The success of AI initiatives relies on understanding the business problem first.

🛠️ TPG aims to modernise its tech stack while streamlining inherited systems from acquisitions.

🌱 Responsible AI practices are essential for ethical implementation in telecommunications.

👨‍🏫 Chris believes in learning from industry leaders rather than being the first to innovate.

🌐 The conversation concludes with Chris sharing his website for further connection.

How to Connect?

You can find out everything Chris is working on right now at his website:www.chrissimusokwe.com

LinkedIn:

Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophersimusokwe/

Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam/

Overview:

The discussion dives into Stephen's career trajectory, his role at IBM, and how enterprises can harness data and AI effectively.

Key Highlights:

Takeaways:
AI isn’t replacing jobs—it’s transforming how we work. By adopting a mindset of continual learning, creativity, and collaboration, organizations and individuals can leverage AI to enhance productivity and innovation.

Stephen’s message: think big, start small, and embrace the potential of AI responsibly.

Connect here:

Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-du-ibm/

Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amasseyadam/

Featured IBM Links:

https://www.ibm.com/au-en

https://instructlab.ai/

https://www.ibm.com/granite?lnk=dev

In Episode 4 of The Data Dojo Podcast, host Adam Massey is joined by Daniela Elia, a leader in AI and ethics with over 15 years of experience across Australia and the UK.